Ukrainian drone forces have successfully struck 12 vessels belonging to Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" in the Black and Azov Seas over the past week, according to official reports.
As reported by the Operative Information Center-OMM, the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, announced the development on his Telegram channel. According to the information provided, the vessels were targeted between August 1 and 8 as part of the "MoLoÇKa" operation.
Brovdi noted that one of the vessels was struck in the Gelendzhik region. Since the commencement of the "MoLoÇKa" operation on July 6, Ukrainian forces have reportedly struck a total of 218 watercraft, with 134 hit in the Azov Sea and 84 in the Black Sea.
The commander further stated that the operation will continue even after reaching the initially identified target of 221 vessels. Additionally, Brovdi reported that maritime traffic through the Kerch Strait has remained under blockade since July 10.
The "shadow fleet" refers to a network of tankers and vessels often used by sanctioned nations to bypass international maritime regulations and export restrictions. The ongoing conflict in the region continues to impact global shipping lanes and maritime security in the Black Sea basin, a critical corridor for international trade and regional stability.
