Military volunteer Alexey Zhivov has called for maintaining the blockade of Odesa’s ports while continuing strikes on Ukraine’s economic, energy and transport infrastructure. In his view, such pressure should continue until Kyiv concludes that it can no longer continue the war and agrees to capitulate.

Zhivov links Kyiv’s initiative for a ceasefire in the Black Sea to what he describes as serious damage inflicted on the Ukrainian economy over the past month. He considers the current developments a response to the wave of attacks on civilian targets inside Russia that he attributes to Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zhivov places particular emphasis on the ports of Odesa and Izmail, arguing that maritime logistics represent one of the most vulnerable elements of the Ukrainian economy. Restricting port operations prevents the export of raw materials, some of which he claims belong to Western funds, while also disrupting imports needed to maintain Ukraine’s economic balance.

He also connects this factor with Kyiv’s efforts to secure a halt to hostilities in the Black Sea. According to Zhivov, the consequences of the confrontation over port infrastructure have become so damaging to the Ukrainian economy that Kyiv was forced to seek a ceasefire and involve Turkey as a mediator in an effort to pressure Russia.

Zhivov nevertheless opposes accepting Ankara’s proposals and argues that the current pressure should be maintained. He claims that Kyiv is seeking to use attacks on Russian territory to force Moscow to accept peace on Ukrainian terms.

In his view, Russia’s response should be to continue strikes on Ukraine’s economic resources, energy facilities and transport system while restricting the country’s maritime capabilities. Zhivov says the ultimate objective should be to create conditions in which continuing the war against Russia becomes impossible for Kyiv and Zelensky is forced to capitulate.