Ukraine has launched one of its largest reported attacks on occupied Crimea this year, claiming a major strike against Russia’s sanctions-busting “shadow fleet” while explosions and fires erupted across the peninsula.
Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, said Ukrainian drones hit 12 Russian vessels in the Black Sea during overnight operations on July 17.
The reported targets included nine dry cargo ships, an oil tanker, a gas carrier and a tugboat, in what Kyiv described as part of Operation “Molochka” — a campaign aimed at crippling Russian maritime logistics in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.
According to Brovdi, Ukrainian forces have struck 159 vessels since the operation began on July 6, including 117 ships in the Sea of Azov and 42 in the Black Sea.
Russia’s shadow fleet, made up largely of ageing tankers operating under foreign flags, has become a crucial tool for Moscow to continue exporting oil despite Western sanctions and the G7 price cap.
The reported naval strikes came alongside a wider assault on occupied Crimea, with explosions reported across several locations.
Admiral Magyar's update:
+11⚓️🔥 Shadow fleet vessels hunted by the Birds of the Unmanned Systems Forces on 16 July (10 in the Black Sea, 1 in the Sea of Azov): 5 oil tankers, 1 LNG tanker, 3 cargo vessels and 2 tugboats.
During Operation “MoLoChKa” by the Unmanned Systems… pic.twitter.com/Y52F9hO0s2
— 414 Magyar's Birds (@414magyarbirds) July 16, 2026
The pro-Ukrainian monitoring channel Crimean Wind reported fires at Kerch railway station, including burning train cars and warehouses, while blasts were also reported in Koktebel and Feodosia.
Further fires were reported on the Arabat Spit, including near areas believed to host Russian military positions and close to the former airfield at Baherove.
Crimean authorities issued two overnight air raid alerts, while traffic across the Crimean Bridge was halted for nearly seven hours, underlining the disruption caused by the attack.
The claims have not been independently verified, and Moscow had not publicly commented on the reported strikes at the time of publication.
If confirmed, the operation would represent another major Ukrainian attempt to hit the maritime infrastructure supporting Russia’s war economy — targeting both military supply routes and the oil revenues that help fund the Kremlin’s invasion.
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