Ukraine Strikes Russian 'Shadow' Tanker in Mediterranean; Putin Vows Retaliation

• Ukraine attacked a Russian "shadow fleet" tanker off Libya in the Mediterranean Sea with aerial drones.
• This marks the first such attack in the Mediterranean since Russia's full-scale invasion nearly four years ago.
• The strike occurred on the day of Putin's annual press conference, where he vowed to respond to such attacks.
• The "shadow fleet" comprises over 1,000 ships used by Russia to evade sanctions and export crude oil.
• Ukraine's SBU called it an "unprecedented special operation," vowing to strike enemies anywhere.

Why It Matters: Ukraine's drone strike on a Russian 'shadow' tanker in the Mediterranean escalates maritime conflict, prompting Putin's vow of retaliation.