21 Russian Tankers Hit by Ukraine in Night Strike on the Sea of Azov

Ukrainian Defense Forces Strike in the Sea of Azov

According to Главком: On the night of July 11, Ukraine’s Defense Forces launched an attack on Russian vessels operating in the waters of the Sea of Azov. The operation resulted in damage to:

• 21 tankers
• four tugboats
• two cargo ships
• one dredger

The full extent of the damage and the specific outcomes of the strikes are still being assessed.

Ukrainian Drone Operations Escalate

Just one night earlier, on July 10, Ukrainian drones struck 13 vessels belonging to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet near the approaches to temporarily occupied Crimea. In response, Russia suspended all shipping traffic through the Don-Azov Canal, effective at 6:10 PM local time on July 10.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated: 'Ukraine’s Defense Forces will continue to systematically carry out measures aimed at ending the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.'

These operations highlight the ongoing campaign to secure Ukrainian waters and reduce the Russian military’s influence over key maritime routes. The actions also reflect a broader strategic effort to disrupt Russian logistics and resource supply lines in the region.

By targeting Russian naval assets in the Sea of Azov and near Crimea, Ukraine is emphasizing the critical importance of controlling sea lanes amid the ongoing conflict. The resulting halt in Russian shipping through the Don-Azov Canal underscores the severity of the threats posed to Moscow’s maritime operations, potentially shifting the dynamics of military activity in the area.

The recent strikes on Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov are part of a broader pattern of escalating Ukrainian drone operations. Just a day before, Ukrainian forces targeted 13 vessels from Russia's shadow fleet near Crimea, demonstrating a strategic focus on disrupting maritime logistics. For more details on these significant drone strikes and their implications for the ongoing conflict, read our coverage here.