Ukraine expandes strikes on Russian tankers to Black Sea, hitting 20 vessels in one night
Ukrainian forces continued striking Russian tankers overnight, hitting 20 vessels in a single night, but this time the attacks took place in the Black Sea rather than the Sea of Azov, according to Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces.
Ukrainian forces hit 17 oil tankers, two gas carriers and one tugboat. Video confirmation will be released later.
Magyar also commented on a statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who had called earlier Ukrainian attacks on Russian tankers in the Sea of Azov “pure terrorism, worse than piracy.”
“No piracy, Lavrov — just business. Yours, bloody. In the sights of the Freedom-Loving Ukrainian Bird. Into the sea abyss,” the Unmanned Systems Forces commander said.
In recent days, Ukraine has begun attacking Russian tankers near Crimea. In all, 116 Russian vessels were struck over nine days, according to Ukrainian reports.
Reuters reported that the attacks prompted Russia to shut down sea routes leading to the Sea of Azov. Navigation through the Don-Azov Canal, which connects the Don River to the Sea of Azov, was temporarily suspended, as was the acceptance of applications for passage through the Kerch Strait, which links the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
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