Ukrainian drone forces carried out overnight strikes against eight tankers belonging to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” hitting the vessels as they transported fuel to Crimea, Kyiv’s military announced on Tuesday.
In a statement posted to Telegram, Ukraine’s drone forces said each of the targeted ships was operating under international sanctions and had a deadweight capacity of approximately 7,000 tons. The strikes took place in the Sea of Azov.
The attack followed a similar operation just one day earlier, when the same Ukrainian forces reported striking two additional shadow-fleet vessels in the same general area.
Ukraine has intensified its campaign against Crimea’s logistics and energy infrastructure over recent weeks, contributing to fuel shortages and a declared state of emergency in the territory. Crimea is considered vital to Russia’s ongoing war effort against its smaller neighbor — a conflict now entering its fifth year.
Russia seized Crimea in 2014 and later launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Striking the enemy’s naval logistics complicates the supply of fuel and ammunition necessary to support the activities of Russian troops, primarily in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea,” the drone forces said in their statement.
The unit also released black-and-white drone footage appearing to show ships being struck and catching fire. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the claims.
Ukraine has long pressed its international allies to take stronger action against vessels that circumvent sanctions by carrying Russian oil to global markets.
Ukrainian forces have previously used sea drones to disable tankers hauling Russian oil through the Black Sea, as part of a broader strategy to cut into Moscow’s revenue. A separate series of unexplained explosions has also occurred aboard tankers that docked at Russian ports. Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in those incidents, though maritime security sources believe Ukraine is responsible.
