Ukraine Strikes 10 Tankers and Four Ferries in Sea of Azov Overnight
Ukraine strikes formed a key part of operations when Ukrainian drone forces struck 10 Russian tankers and four ferries in the Sea of Azov overnight on 11-12 July, part of a broader campaign that hit a total of 90 vessels between 6 and 12 July, while Russian forces conducted multiple drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, injuring civilians in Kherson, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv and Kyiv.
Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Vessels and Oil Infrastructure
Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, reported strikes on 14 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov on the night of 11-12 July. [2] The commander stated that 10 tankers and four ferries were struck overnight. [2] Brovdi also said that between 6 and 12 July drone operators of the Unmanned Systems Forces struck 90 vessels in the Sea of Azov including tankers tugboats ferries and cargo ships. [2] A target referred to as the Crimean switch was struck on the night of 11-12 July with evidence of the strike to be released later. [2] Ukraine's General Staff confirmed strikes on the Syzran oil refinery in Russia's Samara Oblast on the night of 11-12 July. [5] Explosions and a fire were recorded at the facility and the results of the strike are being confirmed. [5] The refinery has a design processing capacity of about 8.5 million tonnes of crude oil per year and produces petrol diesel fuel aviation fuel and other petroleum products used among other things to supply the Russian military. [5] Ukraine's defence forces also struck 10 Russian tankers and four ferries in the Sea of Azov. [5] The General Staff said the tankers are used to transport Russian oil and petroleum products in circumvention of international sanctions while the ferries support Russia's military logistics. [5] On 11 July Ukrainian forces struck a Russian train carrying fuel and lubricants near the occupied town of Tokmak in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. [5] The General Staff also updated the results of the 10 July strike on the Novatek-Ust-Luga processing complex in Russia's Leningrad Oblast confirming damage to the facility's oil processing unit. [5]
Russian Drone Attacks on Kherson Public Transport
Russian forces carried out two drone attacks targeting public transport in Kherson on the morning of 12 July. [1] At around 08:00 the Russians attacked a bus in central Kherson with a drone. [1] A man who was near the vehicle was injured and taken to hospital. [1] Early reports indicate that the driver may have sustained a concussion. [1] At around 09:50 Russian troops struck a public transport stop in the city's Tsentralnyi district with another drone. [1] A 66-year-old man and three women aged 58 59 and 71 were injured in the attack. [1] They sustained blast injuries and shrapnel wounds to the torso and limbs. [1] All of them were taken to hospital. [1] On the night of 11-12 July Russian forces dropped an explosive device from a drone on the Korabel neighbourhood in Kherson killing one local resident and injuring two others. [1]
Ukrainian drone commander Robert Brovdi reports strikes on 10 Russian tankers and four ferries in the Sea of Azov. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Russian Airstrikes Across Multiple Regions
Russia launched airstrikes across the country on Saturday. [4] Five people were killed and 30 injured in Sumy after two glide bombs landed in a crowded area with one hitting a bus and the other damaging apartment buildings. [4] Glide bombs also injured 10 in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia the regional governor said. [4] Two people were killed and another wounded earlier in the day by a missile strike on the southern port city of Odesa. [4] Seven were also wounded in the eastern city of Kharkiv when a drone hit a civilian enterprise. [4] The capital city Kyiv witnessed an overnight attack that wounded twelve people. [4] Civilian infrastructure was hit even before the air raid alert was issued Zelenskiy said earlier of the attacks on Kyiv. [4] Our defenders managed to shoot down most of the targets but not the ballistic ones. [4] Russia launched six ballistic missiles six cruise missiles and 121 drones in the overnight attacks including against Kyiv Ukraine's air force said on Saturday morning. [4] Out of which at least two cruise missiles and 111 drones were neutralised. [4]
Context of Ukraine's Drone Campaign
In recent weeks Russia has increased its attacks on the city. [4] Over 60 people have died in strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding area so far this month. [4] By attacking trucks and ships far behind the front lines Kyiv has been exerting pressure on Russia's military supplies in occupied southern Ukraine attempting to deprive Russian forces of gasoline and ammunition. [4] Robert Brovdi the chief of Ukraine's drone forces reported that his units had attacked 21 fuel tankers and seven other cargo and support ships in the Sea of Azov overnight making a total of 76 boats hit this week. [4] Zelenskiy has said the aim of the drone campaign is to bring Russia to the negotiating table although Russia's Vladimir Putin has not yet shown any willingness to soften his position. [4] Later Reuters reported that Russia has suspended navigation through the Don-Azov Canal which connects the Don River with the Sea of Azov following a Ukrainian attack on 13 Russian vessels. [5] On the night of 10-11 July units of Ukraine's defence forces struck vessels in the Sea of Azov with confirmed hits on 21 Russian tankers. [5] Ukraine's defence forces struck a number of Russian military and military-economic facilities on 11 July and on the night of 11-12 July namely the Syzran oil refinery 10 tankers and four ferries. [2]
Casualties and Immediate Aftermath
The head of Russian-controlled areas of Donetsk region in Ukraine's east Denis Pushilin said one person was killed when a drone hit his car and nine were injured when a bus came under a drone attack near the Sea of Azov. [4] In a border district of Sumy region where the Kremlin wants to expand a buffer zone a man was killed after stepping on an explosive device according to Reuters. [4] Russian officials state the drone campaign aims to pressure Russian logistics and bring Moscow to peace negotiations on equal terms. [4] Russia reported that Ukraine struck a tanker in the Sea of Azov. [3] Ukrainian officials state the drone campaign aims to pressure Russian logistics and bring Moscow to peace negotiations on equal terms. [4]
Broader Scale of Ukrainian Operations
Robert Brovdi commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces has posted a video showing strikes on 14 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov on the night of 11-12 July. [2] The commander reported that 10 tankers and four ferries were struck overnight. [2] Brovdi also said that between 6 and 12 July drone operators of the Unmanned Systems Forces struck 90 vessels in the Sea of Azov including tankers tugboats ferries and cargo ships. [2] He also said that a target he referred to as the Crimean switch was struck on the night of 11-12 July adding that evidence of the strike will be released later. [2] Ukraine's defence forces struck the Syzran oil refinery in Russia's Samara Oblast on the night of 11-12 July. [5] The General Staff noted that the refinery has a design processing capacity of about 8.5 million tonnes of crude oil per year. [5] It produces petrol diesel fuel aviation fuel and other petroleum products used among other things to supply the Russian military. [5] Ukraine's defence forces also struck 10 Russian tankers and four ferries in the Sea of Azov. [5] The General Staff said the tankers are used to transport Russian oil and petroleum products in circumvention of international sanctions while the ferries support Russia's military logistics. [5]
Ukrainian woman shields a child during Russian strikes in Sumy. — Source: timesofindia
Russian Claims and Ukrainian Objectives
Russia says Ukraine struck tanker in Sea of Azov. [3] Zelenskiy has said the aim of the drone campaign is to bring Russia to the negotiating table although Russia's Vladimir Putin has not yet shown any willingness to soften his position. [4] By attacking trucks and ships far behind the front lines Kyiv has been exerting pressure on Russia's military supplies in occupied southern Ukraine attempting to deprive Russian forces of gasoline and ammunition. [4] Robert Brovdi the chief of Ukraine's drone forces reported that his units had attacked 21 fuel tankers and seven other cargo and support ships in the Sea of Azov overnight making a total of 76 boats hit this week. [4] Later Reuters reported that Russia has suspended navigation through the Don-Azov Canal which connects the Don River with the Sea of Azov following a Ukrainian attack on 13 Russian vessels. [5]
What to watch next: Ukraine's General Staff will continue confirming results of strikes on the Syzran oil refinery while Robert Brovdi indicated evidence of the Crimean switch strike will be released later and Russia maintains its suspension of navigation in the Don-Azov Canal.
