Drone Strikes Target Russia's Shadow Fleet Vessels
During the night of July 10, drones operated by the Unmanned Systems Forces struck 13 ships belonging to Russia's shadow fleet near the approaches to Crimea, while also hitting 5 electrical substations. Over the previous 120 hours, these drone operations have put 48 vessels out of commission. Among the targeted ships were:
- 10 tankers
- 1 dry cargo ship
- 1 ferry
- 1 sea tug
All the tankers were identified as part of the shadow fleet, which is subject to international sanctions.
Electrical Substations and Military Targets Hit
In addition, drones struck 5 electrical substations: Berehove near Molochny, Saky, Maynaky in Yevpatoriya, Novoozerna, and Medvedeve. Within the operational depth of Crimea and the southern region, 41 military targets were hit overnight. On the front line, 426 occupiers were neutralized, contributing to a total of 1,660 targets affected.
Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert "Madjar" Brovdi, stated: '48 vessels were hit by the Birds of the USF within 120 hours; the fleet is systematically losing its appetite.'
He also shared his thoughts on the risks of sending tankers to Crimea: 'I face a dilemma: when sending a tanker to Crimea, does the worm cultivate courage or stupidity?' At the same time, he expressed confidence in the future: 'We will hold out. Moscow will fall. Crimea will be restored and rebuilt.'
The project being implemented in this context is called 'Crimean Switch-Off.'
This information highlights the activity of Ukrainian forces in countering Russian aggression in the Black Sea and Crimea. The destruction of the shadow fleet and military targets demonstrates Ukraine's strategic efforts to enhance its defense capabilities and reduce the enemy's military potential. Attacks on infrastructure may also significantly disrupt Russia's logistics routes, forcing a reassessment of its military plans in the region.
The recent drone strikes underscore Ukraine's ongoing efforts to dismantle Russia's maritime operations. This follows a previous incident where Ukraine successfully targeted eight tankers transporting fuel to Crimea, further illustrating the strategic importance of disrupting supply lines. For more details on these significant operations, read about how Ukraine targeted tankers from Russia's shadow fleet.