Ukraine claims strikes on 11 Russian "shadow fleet" vessels in Black, Azov seas

Ukrainian forces have struck 11 more merchant vessels linked to Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, a senior Ukrainian commander announced on Thursday, July 16.

Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, who commands a specialised unit within Ukraine’s newly established Unmanned Systems Forces, reported that the targeted operations took place on July 16. According to Brovdi, the struck vessels included five oil tankers, one liquefied gas carrier, three dry bulk carriers, and two tugboats.

The strikes are part of an ongoing, concentrated maritime interdiction campaign. Brovdi disclosed that under a broader military operation codenamed "MoLoCHKa," Ukrainian forces have hit a total of 147 vessels associated with the Russian shadow fleet between July 6 and July 16.

Ukraine has increasingly deployed unmanned surface vessels and aerial drones to target shipping infrastructure and vessels engaging in bypass trading under sanctions, aiming to disrupt Moscow’s maritime supply chains and oil export logistics in the region.

By Tamilla Hasanova