On July 11th, Ukrainian forces launched significant strikes across the Sea of Azov, targeting 21 oil tankers, four tugboats, and two dry cargo ships. These actions aimed to diminish the Russian aggressor’s military-economic potential by disrupting oil transportation that finances the war and hindering military logistics and port operations. The extensive damage has forced a halt to shipping through the Kerch Strait, impacting global food markets, particularly wheat shipments. Further strikes in Taganrog involved drones attacking four vessels, with Russian authorities reporting only minor damage and successful air defense interceptions.
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Overnight on July 11, Ukrainian drones launched a significant operation in the Sea of Azov, reportedly hitting 21 Russian tankers and seven other vessels. These targets, including tugboats and cargo ships, are believed to be involved in transporting oil and supporting Russian military logistics, with the strikes potentially disrupting traffic through the Kerch Strait and the Don-Azov Canal. This action follows similar Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian shipping near occupied Crimea, underscoring ongoing efforts to cripple Russia’s maritime operations and sanction circumvention. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but market analysts note that disruptions to Russian grain exports, a significant portion of which transit through the Sea of Azov, could impact global wheat futures.
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Ukraine’s recent success in striking a significant number of Russian vessels within a compressed timeframe is truly remarkable and underscores a dynamic shift in the naval aspect of the conflict. Reports now indicate that the figure has escalated, with an astonishing 35 Russian ships being hit in just the last 96 hours, a stark increase from earlier reports of 21 in 72 hours. This sustained offensive suggests a highly effective and perhaps evolving Ukrainian strategy.
These drone attacks, in particular, seem to be a game-changer, acting as an “ace in the hand” for Ukraine. The sheer unpredictability of their deployment means Russia struggles to anticipate and fortify against them.… Continue reading
These attacks on commercial vessels, specifically targeting nine Russian “shadow fleet” tankers in the Sea of Azov and two more in Taganrog Bay, signal Ukraine’s expanding strategy to disrupt Russia’s war effort and oil exports. This campaign, part of a broader 40-day operation authorized by President Zelenskyy, has also seen strikes on Russian military targets and energy infrastructure in occupied Crimea and southern Ukraine. While two tankers were damaged and two individuals sustained minor injuries, no oil spill was reported due to the vessels being unladen.
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On the night of July 6-7, Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces successfully targeted eight Russian “shadow fleet” tankers in the Sea of Azov. In addition to the fuel tankers, a cargo ship and a ferry were also struck. The identified tankers, ranging from approximately 7,000 tonnes deadweight and 140 meters in length, were constructed between 2006 and 2012 and are subject to international sanctions, underscoring the ongoing effort to disrupt fuel supplies to Crimea.
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On August 28, 2025, a Buyan-M class missile vessel, capable of carrying Kalibr cruise missiles, was targeted by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) in the Sea of Azov near occupied Crimea. The DIU reported that the Prymary Special Unit employed an aerial drone to damage the vessel’s radar system. Simultaneously, special forces from the Department of Active Operations struck the hull of the Russian corvette, causing it to sustain damage and withdraw from its combat duty location. This operation follows a recent DIU report of an uncrewed surface vessel attack in Novorossiysk Bay.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood