Ukraine’s Security Service Strikes Russian Shadow Fleet Vessels in Black Sea
Ukraine‘s Security Service (SBU) in coordination with Ukrainian Navy Forces struck Russia‘s Louise 1 and Banda shadow fleet vessels in the Black Sea using Mamai naval drones, the agency reported on July 16.
The Louise 1 is used to transport Russian crude oil, circumventing the oil embargo imposed by G7 nations and the EU. The vessel regularly sailed from Russian Baltic and Black Sea ports, disabling its Automatic Identification System (AIS) to avoid tracking. The tanker has transported nearly 3 million tons of Russian Urals crude oil in 2026 alone.
SBU Naval Drones Prove Effective Against Russian Vessels
The Banda was transporting Russian crude oil from the ports of Ust-Luga, Kerch, Novorossiysk, and Nakhodka when it was attacked by SBU naval drones. Although Russian aircraft attempted to intercept the drones using machine guns and bombs, their efforts failed.
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces Continue Targeting Russian Vessels
SBU Sea Baby naval drones struck a Russian tanker, the Blue, in Ukraine‘s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea on July 8. Additionally, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) struck another 20 Russian ships in the Black Sea overnight on July 15.
USF Commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi said on July 13 that Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces had hit another 15 Russian vessels overnight. Ukrainian drones hit seven tankers, five dry cargo ships, one ferry, and two tugboats that night, he said. In total, USF drones hit 105 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov over eight days, according to Brovdi.
Russia Temporarily Suspends Shipping Through Don-Azov Channel
Brovdi said on July 12 that Ukrainian forces had hit 14 Russian vessels overnight, including 10 tankers and four ferries. About 120 Russian vessels may be in the Sea of Azov, most of them dry cargo ships, Defense Express analysts said.
The number of Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov may have fallen by 55% from June 30 to July 11, from 267 to 120, the Institute for the Study of War reported. Reuters reported that Russia temporarily suspended shipping through the Don-Azov Channel and the Kerch Strait, which connects the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, after Ukrainian attacks.
Read also: Naval drone delivers ground robot for combat mission on Kinburn Spit for first time
Original Article: Video shows SBU sea drone strike on Russia’s Louise 1 and Banda shadow fleet vessels — Nv