Ukraine says it targeted 285 Russian shadow-fleet vessels in 10-week drone campaign
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces say they have targeted 285 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov during a 10-week campaign that their commander says has effectively halted traffic in the Sea of Azov and through the Kerch Strait.
Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi said the vessels were targeted as part of an operation dubbed “MoLoChKa.”
According to Brovdi, Ukrainian forces targeted 215 vessels in July, 54 in August and another 16 between Sept. 1 and 11.
He said maritime traffic in the Sea of Azov and through the Kerch Strait had been “effectively halted,” while shipping in the northern and northeastern Black Sea had been significantly disrupted.
Brovdi described the 285 targets as vessels belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet.” He said the fleet generates revenue used to finance Moscow’s war against Ukraine, pointing specifically to sanctioned oil tankers carrying Russian crude.
Ukraine began a series of strikes on Russian vessels near occupied Crimea in July. Brovdi said at the time that Ukrainian forces had targeted 116 vessels during the first nine days of the campaign.
Reuters later reported that Russia temporarily suspended navigation through the Don-Azov shipping canal, which connects the Don River with the Sea of Azov, following Ukrainian strikes. Applications for passage through the Kerch Strait, connecting the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, were also temporarily suspended.