Critics of the Russian position argue that the accusation of terrorism is a strategic attempt to deflect attention from the reality of the war and to justify Russia's own aggressive actions against Ukrainian infrastructure. From this viewpoint, the vessels being targeted are not merely civilian ships but are integral components of a shadow fleet that facilitates the Russian war effort. By transporting fuel and supplies to occupied territories like Crimea, these ships directly contribute to the ongoing occupation and military operations against Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials and their supporters maintain that the campaign is a legitimate exercise of self-defense. They argue that by disrupting the logistics that sustain the Russian military, Ukraine is effectively weakening the Kremlin's ability to continue its invasion. This perspective holds that the distinction between military and civilian assets is blurred when commercial vessels are used to support combat operations, making them valid targets under the circumstances of a full-scale war.
Furthermore, this view suggests that Russia's focus on the terrorism label is a tactical maneuver to gain international sympathy while simultaneously escalating its own attacks on Ukrainian ports and energy infrastructure. By framing the conflict in the Sea of Azov as a humanitarian or terror issue, Moscow attempts to obscure the fact that it has been using the region to project power and maintain its hold on occupied lands. For Ukraine, the campaign is a necessary response to a conflict that has already devastated its own civilian infrastructure.
Ultimately, this perspective emphasizes that the responsibility for the disruption of trade lies with the aggressor. By choosing to use commercial shipping for military logistics, Russia has brought these vessels into the crosshairs of the conflict. The focus on terrorism, according to this view, is an attempt to avoid accountability for the broader consequences of the war and to maintain a narrative that favors Russian interests at the expense of Ukrainian sovereignty.