War of Narratives: Russia’s ‘Initiative’ vs. Ukraine’s ‘Spy Tanker’ Claims

Moscow/Kyiv – A war of narratives is raging alongside the physical conflict in Ukraine, with Russia promoting a story of battlefield dominance while Ukraine exposes an alleged campaign of covert espionage using civilian tankers.
The Russian narrative is led by President Vladimir Putin, who announced the capture of nearly 5,000 square kilometers of territory in 2025. He declared that Moscow now holds the “complete strategic initiative,” framing Russia as the controlling power in the war.
In sharp contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pushing a narrative of Russian subterfuge. He has accused Moscow of using its oil tanker fleet for “reconnaissance and even sabotage activities,” portraying Russia as a state that subverts international norms.
Zelenskyy has also projected a narrative of resilience, stating that Ukraine and its allies are working together to stop these alleged operations. He confidently asserted that “it is entirely possible to stop this.”
Adding another layer to this complex information war, Putin issued a direct warning to the U.S. over Tomahawk missiles. He threatened a “qualitatively new stage of escalation” and the destruction of diplomatic ties, a move designed to influence Western policy decisions.