Ukraine expands deep-strike campaign against Russian logistics network

Units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces carried out a series of strikes against Russian military and logistical facilities on June 16 and during the night of June 16–17, targeting infrastructure used to support Moscow’s military operations, General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced.

In the Black Sea, Ukrainian forces struck the tanker FINA A (IMO 9283306), a vessel identified as part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”

“The target was successfully struck. The extent of the damage is being assessed,” the statement said.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the tanker has been used to transport crude oil and petroleum products on behalf of the Russian Federation while circumventing international sanctions and restrictions. The vessel, measuring 244.6 meters in length, has a gross tonnage of 62,002 and is subject to sanctions imposed by the European Union, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces also targeted infrastructure used by Russian troops to support military logistics and the movement of personnel and equipment between occupied territories in southern Ukraine.

Among the reported targets were a road bridge across the North Crimean Canal near the settlement of Stavky in Kherson region and another road bridge near Voinka.

In the Velyka Novosilka area of Donetsk region, Ukrainian forces struck what they described as an enemy command-and-observation post and a command post.

Additional strikes were reported against Russian drone command-and-control positions in several locations, including Kamianske and Novoprokopivka in Zaporizhzhia region, Ivanopillia and Komar in Donetsk region, Oleshky in Kherson region, Maliivka in Dnipropetrovsk region, as well as Koroviakivka and Kucherov in Russia’s Kursk region.

“The Defence Forces of Ukraine continue to systematically degrade the Russian aggressor’s capability to conduct combat operations against Ukraine,” the statement said.

By Vafa Guliyeva