Operators of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) struck 90 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov between July 6 and July 12. Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of the USF, reported the figures on social media on Sunday.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “Fourteen overnight, 90 vessels in a week,” Brovdi wrote. He added that USF drone operators struck a target – comprising tankers, tugboats, ferries, or dry cargo ships – an average of once every 112 minutes during the seven-day period.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine issued a report detailing the operations. According to the General Staff, Ukrainian forces struck 10 Russian tankers and four ferries in the Sea of Azov overnight into July 12. The military stated that the tankers are utilized to transport Russian oil and petroleum products to bypass international sanctions, while the ferries facilitate military logistics and cargo transportation for the Russian army. Russian officials confirmed incidents in the region. Rostov Region Governor Yuri Slyusar reported that a drone attacked a tanker in the Don-Azov Canal. The governor stated the vessel was empty, the resulting fire was localized, and no casualties occurred. He also stated that Russian air defense systems intercepted 20 Ukrainian drones in the Rostov region. The maritime operation follows previous strikes targeting the Russian “shadow fleet.” On July 9, Slyusar reported two tankers damaged by drones in the Taganrog Bay. Prior to that, the Ukrainian General Staff reported the destruction of 12 Russian tankers in the Sea of Azov. Earlier in the summer, the USF reported striking 13 vessels, including 10 tankers, near occupied Crimea.
