Ukraine struck 28 Russian shadow fleet vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight, including 21 oil tankers, 4 tugboats, 2 dry cargo ships, and one service vessel, according to unverified reports. The strikes bring the total number of Russian vessels reportedly hit between July 6-11 to 76.
Ukraine has reported striking an additional 28 vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet in the Sea of Azov overnight, according to unverified reports. The targets included 21 oil tankers, 4 tugboats, 2 dry cargo ships, and one dedicated service vessel. Per the source, the cumulative tally of Russian vessels struck between July 6 and 11 stands at 76.
This new wave extends a sustained Ukrainian maritime campaign against Russia's shadow fleet — vessels used to circumvent Western sanctions on oil exports and to transport fuel between Russia and occupied Crimea. As The Zioneer reported Saturday at 11:12 Jerusalem, Ukraine had struck 29 fuel tankers overnight in the Sea of Azov, prompting Russia to halt ship traffic through the Kerch Strait. Prior reports this week — all from single Ukrainian sources — have described escalating strike volumes: 21 vessels hit in 72 hours (July 8), then at least 35 ships over 96 hours (July 9), and the 29-tanker wave this morning. The figures remain independently unverified; analysts note that even if inflated, the sustained pace and geographic spread suggest a significant degradation of Russia's maritime logistics in the Azov basin.
The Kerch Strait's reported closure — confirmed by Ukrainian and maritime sources but not independently — would represent a major operational disruption, severing Russia's shortest sea route from its mainland to occupied Crimea and the northern Black Sea. The current report does not specify whether the closure remains in effect or has been lifted.
4 developments
- DevelopingUkraine claims it struck 20 Russian ships overnight, including 17 tankers
- DevelopingUkraine says it struck 13 Russian ships in Black Sea, Sea of Azov in past 48 hours
- StrongUkraine says it struck 13 more Russian ships, total 172 since July 6
- StrongUkraine reports striking nine more Russian shadow fleet tankers in Sea of Azov
Source and signal
- Open-source intake