Ukrainian Forces Claim Success in Drone Operation Against Russian Shadow Fleet
Ukraine‘s Unmanned Systems Forces announced on Friday that they struck 159 vessels linked to Russia‘s so-called shadow fleet over a 12-day drone operation in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, according to the force’s commander, Robert “Magyar” Brovdi.
Brovdi said the vessels were targeted between July 6 and July 17 as part of what Ukraine‘s forces call Operation MoLoChKa, with 117 vessels struck in the Sea of Azov and 42 in the Black Sea. On Friday alone, Ukrainian forces said they struck 12 vessels in the Black Sea, including nine dry cargo ships, one oil tanker, one gas tanker, and one tugboat.
Targeted Strikes Across Multiple Vessels
According to a statement from Ukraine‘s Unmanned Systems Forces on Telegram, the nine cargo vessels were struck by operators from the 9th Battalion “Kairos” of the 414th Separate Unmanned Strike Aviation System Brigade “Magyar’s Birds,” the 1st Separate Center, the 412th Separate Brigade “Nemesis,” and the 413th Regiment “Raid.” The oil tanker was struck by 413th Regiment operators, while the gas tanker and tugboat were struck by 1st Separate Center operators.
Ukrainian Forces’ Objective: Disrupting Russian Logistics
Brovdi stated on Telegram that the operation aims to disrupt the transport of oil, fuel, and other cargo used to circumvent international sanctions. He emphasized that Ukrainian forces are seeking to disable vessels without breaching their hulls or causing oil spills. The goal is to add pressure on Russia‘s wartime economy and military supply systems.
Impact on Russian Shadow Fleet
Ukraine‘s Unmanned Systems Forces said in their Telegram statement that striking the vessels and related infrastructure complicates Russia‘s ability to evade sanctions, disrupts logistics routes, and adds pressure on Russia’s wartime economy and military supply systems. The Black Sea and Sea of Azov host some of Russia’s key industrial and military ports, making them crucial for Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.
The Russian shadow fleet, vessels under international sanctions for illegally transporting Russian oil, remains a key source of revenue funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine. By targeting these vessels, Ukrainian forces aim to weaken Russia‘s ability to sustain its military campaign and ultimately bring an end to the conflict.
Original Article: Ukraine claims 159 Russian ‘shadow fleet’ vessels hit in 12 days — Turkiyetoday