Ukraine Conducts Large-Scale Operation Against Russia’s “Ghost Fleet”
In a significant operation, Ukrainian forces struck 10 Russian vessels involved in maritime logistics in the Sea of Azov and near occupied Crimea overnight. The vessels, part of Russia’s shadow fleet, were transporting fuel to support military operations on the peninsula.
According to Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), pilots from the “Kairos” unit within the Independent Brigade 414 “Păsările lui Madyar” struck eight tankers and one cargo ship. The vessels are part of the Azov-Crimea fuel route, which supplies Russia’s military operations in the region.
Targeting Russian Logistics
The operation targeted not only the vessels but also infrastructure supporting Russia’s military efforts. Brovdi stated that USF units struck 58 military targets behind Russian lines in occupied territories. The campaign aimed to disrupt the logistics that sustain Russia’s military presence on the peninsula.
In addition to striking five electrical substations and a gas compressor station across occupied Crimea, Ukraine also targeted key energy infrastructure, including power transmission lines and logistical hubs. The extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Ukraine’s Justification
Ukraine has justified its attacks against Russia’s “ghost fleet” by arguing that the vessels transporting Russian oil and gas directly finance Moscow’s war effort and can be considered legitimate military targets.
Vice Premier Oleksii Kuleba presented this position in a letter to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), following Russia’s accusations that Ukraine had committed terrorist attacks against commercial vessels. The Financial Times reported that Russia accused Kiev of attacking the Russian-flagged Arctic Metagaz tanker in the Mediterranean Sea in March, which Ukraine denies.
International Response
European countries are intensifying their efforts against Russia’s “ghost fleet.” The United Kingdom and France have recently intercepted Russian naval vessels, further highlighting Moscow’s disregard for international humanitarian law and maritime security.
Original Article: Operațiune de amploare a Ucrainei: 10 nave din „,flota fantomă” a Rusiei, lovite într-o singură noapte (Video) — Spotmedia (Romanian) | View English Translation