On the night of 9 July, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces carried out strikes against 14 vessels belonging to the Russian Federation’s shadow fleet in the Sea of Azov. In total, over the course of four days, 35 Russian vessels and dozens of military installations in Crimea were targeted.
- During the night of 9 July, 14 vessels belonging to the Russian Federation’s shadow fleet were struck.
- In total, 35 vessels came under attack over the course of 96 hours.
- In Crimea, 45 military targets belonging to the occupying forces have been struck.
- Among the targets are the Saks Thermal Power Station, fuel and lubricants depots, and an electronic warfare station.
- The operations were coordinated by the newly established Centre for Deep Strike.
A further 14 vessels were hit overnight
On the night of 9 July, Ukrainian Drones struck 14 vessels in the Sea of Azov. Among the identified vessels were the tanker «Chelsea-6», the tanker «Aura», the tanker «Sonar-1», the tanker «Ilya Repin», the vessel «Mercury», the tanker «Galiaskar Kamal» flying the Panamanian flag, the tugboat «Alfeo» together with the barge «Aphrodite», the tankers «Venera-3» and «Penelope», as well as five further vessels, details of which are being verified.
The Unmanned Systems Force emphasises that all the tankers identified belong to the so-called «shadow fleet»The Russian Federation, which is used to circumvent international sanctions and export Russian energy resources.".
Over the past four days, 35 vessels have come under attack
Between 6 and 9 July, Ukrainian drones struck 35 Russian vessels, including tankers, dry cargo ships, a ferry and a tugboat. The timeline of the attacks is as follows: 6 July — 2 tankers; 7 July — 10 vessels; 8 July — 9 vessels; 9 July — 14 vessels. Some of the vessels, notably the tankers «Sanar-17», «Klymena», «Venera-3» and «Penelope», were struck more than once.
Dozens of military installations have been hit in Crimea
In addition to maritime targets, Ukrainian drones attacked 45 military sites in the temporarily occupied Crimea overnight. Among the reported targets were — Sakskaya CHP, three fuel and lubricants depots, two logistics bases, the «Zhitiel» electronic warfare station, communications masts, support vehicles and refuelling lorries.
The Unmanned Systems Forces state that all strikes were coordinated by the newly established Deep Strike Centre, which is responsible for planning operations against military targets deep within the enemy’s rear.
