Moscow reshapes grain logistics after Ukrainian drone strikes on 11 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov

Ukraine says drones hit 11 Russian vessels in the Azov Sea, targeting tankers, dry cargo ships, and a tugboat overnight.

Published On 14 Jul 202614 Jul 2026

Russia is arranging alternative grain export routes from the Sea of Azov following Ukrainian attacks on its fleet, after Kyiv claimed to have struck 11 additional Russian vessels overnight.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated on Tuesday that Russia is preparing to use alternative shipping routes and may shift cargo to other modes of transport.

The ministry added that the situation in the Sea of Azov will not impact domestic food supplies or the country’s export capacities.

Ukrainian military commander Robert Brovdi announced on Telegram Tuesday that drone attacks struck 11 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight, including five tankers, five dry‑cargo ships, and a tugboat, raising the total number of targeted ships over the past nine days to 116.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of carrying out “acts of terrorism”.

“What the Ukrainian regime is doing goes beyond even piracy. Pirates, at least, plunder and keep the spoils for themselves. But here, it benefits neither them nor anyone else – the goal is simply to cause damage and intimidate. It is terrorism, pure and simple,” Lavrov said.

The assaults coincide with Ukraine’s intensified long‑range strikes on Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities, precipitating a fuel crisis in Russia.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported that its air defences intercepted 288 Ukrainian drones across the country overnight, with falling debris from an attack injuring one person and damaging houses in several villages.

One strike ignited a fire at the Afipsky oil refinery, according to authorities in Russia’s Krasnodar region.

Ukraine also targeted an oil refinery in Bashkortostan, which had previously been struck twice in September 2025. Governor Radiy Khabirov reported on Telegram that the attack hit an industrial zone in the city of Salavat.

Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries have contributed to a fuel crisis, prompting Moscow to ban certain fuel exports amid a global surge in energy prices.

Russia’s Defence Ministry also said it hit targets in Kyiv, port infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region, and fuel storage facilities for Ukrainian forces at the port of Yuzhny.

Ukrainian navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk stated that Russian forces struck a civilian vessel near Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa, reporting no casualties in the attack.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian military officials said their forces shot down seven missiles and 108 drones across the country.

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