Ukraine claims it has unleashed a devastating campaign against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”, announcing that another 14 vessels were destroyed overnight as Kyiv intensifies efforts to cripple one of the Kremlin’s most important financial lifelines.
According to Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, the latest wave of strikes on July 12 wiped out 10 oil tankers and four ferries, bringing the total number of Russian vessels reportedly destroyed this week to a staggering 90.
The campaign is aimed squarely at the network of ageing tankers Moscow allegedly relies on to export oil while bypassing Western sanctions, generating billions of pounds to bankroll Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, hailed the operation’s pace, revealing that a Russian tanker, tugboat, cargo ship or other vessel in the Sea of Azov was struck every 112 minutes throughout the week.
The extraordinary claim underlines Ukraine’s growing confidence in using long-range drones and maritime strike capabilities to target Russia’s logistics far behind the front line.
Just a day earlier, Brovdi said shipping through the strategically vital Kerch Strait had ground to a halt after Ukrainian forces reportedly struck 21 oil tankers, four tugboats, two dry cargo vessels and one specialised support ship.
Ukrainian forces carried out another major maritime raid overnight in the Sea of Azov, hitting 10 oil/fuel tankers.
Ukrainian drones also hit 4 immensely valuable ferries used to move vehicles across the Kerch Strait between Russia and Crimea. pic.twitter.com/AnP4IZIuKE
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 12, 2026
If confirmed, the disruption would represent one of the most significant blows yet to Russia’s maritime transport network linking occupied Crimea with the Russian mainland.
Ukraine’s General Staff said the targeted tankers form part of Russia’s sanctions-busting “shadow fleet”, which transports crude oil and petroleum products to international buyers despite Western restrictions.
The tankers are used to transport oil and petroleum products while circumventing international sanctions, providing funds to finance the armed aggression against Ukraine,” the military said.
Officials added that the tugboats, dry cargo ships and specialised support vessels also play an important role in sustaining Russia’s military operations by transporting cargo and supporting port infrastructure critical to the war effort.
One of the tankers hit by Ukrainian drones in the Sea of Azov. pic.twitter.com/Wrpt2lFg4X
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) July 11, 2026
Kyiv has increasingly shifted its focus towards dismantling Russia’s economic and logistical capabilities, arguing that destroying the infrastructure financing the invasion is just as important as defeating Russian forces on the battlefield.
If Ukraine’s figures are accurate, the latest operation would mark one of the most aggressive campaigns yet against the Kremlin’s shadow fleet, threatening both Moscow’s oil revenues and its ability to sustain military logistics in occupied southern Ukraine.
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