Ukrainian drones struck 11 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight, according to a statement released Tuesday by the commander of Kyiv’s drone forces, Robert Brovdi.
Writing on Telegram, Brovdi specified that the targets comprised five tankers, five dry cargo ships, and one tugboat. The latest operation brings the total number of vessels damaged or destroyed in the region over the past nine days to 116.
The Sea of Azov, bordered by Russia, Russian-occupied southern Ukraine, and annexed Crimea, serves as a critical logistics corridor. Approximately a quarter of Russia’s grain exports typically transit the waterway, though shipping has faced increasing restrictions due to sustained Ukrainian attacks on commercial vessels and tankers.
Despite the intensified campaign, Russia’s Agriculture Ministry insisted Tuesday that export operations would proceed unaffected. “The situation in the Azov Sea will not affect the domestic market’s food supply or our country’s export capabilities,” the ministry stated, adding that authorities were implementing necessary measures to safeguard vessels and exploring alternative freight routes. “If necessary, some cargo will be redirected to other modes of transport,” the statement noted.
Brovdi indicated the strikes aim to degrade Russia’s “shadow fleet” and curtail fuel supplies to Moscow-controlled Crimea, as Russia contends with a deepening domestic fuel crisis.
Also Read
- George Kamel: There Is No Magic Age for Claiming Social Security
- Ecosystem Update: Southeast Asian SMEs Face Rising Ransomware Threats Amid Growing Cyber Vulnerabilities
- Evercore ISI Initiates Coverage on SpaceX with Bullish $230 Target Despite Recent Share Decline
- Premarket Movers: JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, IBM, Apple Lead Market Shifts
