Ukrainian drone operators targeted multiple vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet during overnight strikes in the Sea of Azov on July 7, according to the Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Robert Brovdi (“Magyar”).
Brovdi said eight oil tankers were hit during the operation, adding that the attacks also targeted a dry cargo vessel and a ferry. According to him, several of the tankers caught fire after sustaining significant damage.
He identified the affected tankers as Venus-3, Sanar-1, Sanar-17, Klymena, Teti, Alexei Savrasov, Penelope, while the identity of the eighth vessel was initially being verified.
Later on July 7, Brovdi said the eighth tanker was identified as MS Ivan Cheremisinov and added that the number of vessels affected had increased during the day.
According to the Ukrainian commander, the targeted tankers are all under international sanctions. They have a deadweight of approximately 7,000 tonnes, are about 140 metres long, and were built between 2006 and 2012.
The strikes follow previous operations by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, which on the night of June 23 reported hitting more than 60 military targets in occupied Crimea and other Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.
