"Zelenskyy warns Russian drone attacks on Europe fueled by shadow fleet"

Russia is reportedly utilizing an unauthorized "shadow fleet" of oil tankers for intelligence collection and disruptive activities, including launching drones, according to Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"At present, Russian forces are employing these vessels not only to fund military operations but also for surveillance and harmful actions. There are ways to prevent this," said Ukraine’s president after receiving an intelligence update from Oleh Ivashchenko, head of foreign intelligence, outlining "disruptive and destabilizing efforts in Europe."

Zelenskyy noted: "Recent instances of drone launches from tankers illustrate this. We are relaying this information to allies, and it is crucial that their reaction to Russia is decisive." Danish authorities have not dismissed suspicions that the Boracay, a ship of this kind, may have been involved in drone sightings near airports and military sites in Denmark in late September. The vessel was later intercepted by French forces, and its captain is set to face trial in France in February for non-compliance with authorities.

Ukrainian drones targeted an oil refinery in Tyumen, Siberia, located over 2,000 km beyond the frontline, marking what could be Kyiv’s furthest strike into Russian territory so far. At least two drones damaged the facility’s distillation column and water supply system, according to the independent Russian outlet Astra. Regional officials downplayed the incident, stating that "three UAVs were detected and neutralized on the premises of an industrial site in Tyumen’s Antipino district."

A fire continued to spread at the Feodosiya oil terminal in Crimea, under Russian control, following an earlier Ukrainian strike, with reports indicating the flames had expanded across the site.

Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stated he was in talks with Russia and Ukraine about restoring external power to the unlawfully occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Europe’s largest nuclear facility has been without off-site electricity for more than a week. Emergency diesel generators, unsuitable for prolonged use, are maintaining cooling operations.

Meanwhile, Russia alleged that a Ukrainian drone struck a cooling tower at the Novovoronezh nuclear plant in Voronezh, near Ukraine’s border. Ukraine did not immediately respond—both nations frequently accuse each other of endangering nuclear sites.

Ukraine plans to raise natural gas imports by 30% following intensified Russian airstrikes on its gas infrastructure, which energy minister Svitlana Hrynchuk described as severely damaging. The minister reported 26 attacks on energy facilities in the past 24 hours. "We intend to boost imports during the coldest months, though the immediate focus is securing supplies for October to December and beyond if needed. Faster restoration of domestic production will reduce import dependency."