In a Single Night, Ukraine’s Defense Forces Hit 12 Russian Tankers in the Sea of Azov

Ukraine’s Defense Forces Conduct Overnight Operation

According to Главком: On the night of July 9, Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck multiple military and military-economic targets belonging to the Russian Federation. The operation resulted in damage to:

• 12 tankers;
• one tugboat;
• one cargo vessel in the Sea of Azov.

Also hit was the oil terminal 'Yug Rusi' in Bataysk, Rostov Oblast, where a fire was reported, along with an ammunition depot near Sorokyne in Luhansk Oblast.

Operation’s Objective

According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the targeted vessels were used to supply fuel and lubricants to Russian military groups, transport oil in violation of sanctions, and facilitate energy exports. The 'Yug Rusi' facility handles oil product transshipment for export and also supplies fuel to Russian forces operating on the southern front.

This operation follows earlier attacks on July 7 and 8, during which Ukrainian drones struck:

• eight tankers;
• nine tankers on the respective days;
• 53 military targets in Crimea and the southern part of the occupied territory.

Ukrainian defense forces continue active operations aimed at destroying enemy military resources.

This series of strikes underscores Ukraine’s focus on disrupting logistics routes and resources that sustain Russia’s military activity. Hitting critical infrastructure like the 'Yug Rusi' terminal could significantly hinder Russia’s ability to deliver fuel to its troops, potentially slowing their offensive operations. These actions are part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to intensify pressure on the adversary and reduce its military capabilities across all fronts.

In addition to the recent strikes in the Sea of Azov, Ukraine's Defense Forces have also targeted key energy infrastructures within Russia, aiming to disrupt the supply chain for military operations. This strategic approach highlights Ukraine's ongoing efforts to weaken Russia's logistical capabilities. For more insights on Ukraine's military actions against oil refineries and shadow fleet tankers, read about it here.