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Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces say they have struck 116 vessels linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet during a nine-day operation in the Sea of Azov aimed at disrupting Moscow’s oil export logistics, UATV English reports.
According to Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, Ukrainian forces hit 11 Russian vessels overnight, including five oil tankers, five cargo ships, and one tugboat.
Brovdi said the operation is designed to disable vessels that play a key role in Russia’s shadow fleet, complicating the transport of Russian oil through the Volga-Don Canal and the Sea of Azov to larger tankers that cannot enter shallow ports due to their draft.
The latest strikes follow another wave of attacks reported on July 13, when Ukraine said it targeted 15 vessels involved in transporting Russian oil and other cargoes in an effort to circumvent international sanctions.
The Unmanned Systems Forces described the campaign as part of a broader effort to disrupt Russia’s maritime logistics and reduce its ability to generate revenue from energy exports.
