Russian President Vladimir Putin called attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea outright piracy and declared his readiness to expand the list of targets for Russian strikes against Ukrainian ports and ships calling at them. He made this announcement during a meeting with commanders at the headquarters of the joint force.

"This is piracy in its purest form, and it must be punished," — Putin emphasized, commenting on the recent incidents with the tankers Kairos, Virat and Midvolga-2.

According to him, Moscow will be forced to strengthen measures in response to such provocations, including the destruction of the infrastructure that supports these attacks.

The head of state's statement came amid a series of incidents: on November 28, two Gambian-flagged tankers en route to Russia caught fire off the coast of Turkey, and on December 1, the Russian vessel Midvolga-2, carrying sunflower oil, was struck en route to Georgia. In the latter case, the captain and engineer were injured, and shrapnel damaged the wheelhouse. Turkish authorities confirmed the impact, but the crews did not request assistance.