Ukraine Strikes Hit Eight Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers in Sea of Azov

Ukraine strikes hit eight Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Sea of Azov on the night of 6-7 July, with additional strikes reported on Russian defence industry facilities, logistics targets in occupied territories, and a fuel depot.

Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Shadow Fleet in Sea of Azov

Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces commander Robert Brovdi reported that the strikes damaged eight sanctioned shadow fleet tankers, a dry cargo ship, and a ferry, claiming the tankers were badly damaged and on fire while power was disrupted in occupied Crimea. [2] Operators from Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck eight tankers belonging to Russia's so-called shadow fleet in the Sea of Azov on the night of 6-7 July. [3] Brovdi claimed that the overnight aerial naval battle reached industrial-scale results and that the fuel tankers were badly damaged and on fire. [2] He stated that the shadow fleet is leaving the area and that the battle for fuel for Crimea in the Sea of Azov continues. [2] In addition to the fuel tankers, Brovdi said Ukrainian forces also struck a cargo ship and a ferry. [3] Brovdi claimed that all tankers hit in the Ukrainian July 7 overnight strike had been identified and that they are all subject to international sanctions. [2] The identified tankers include Venera-3, Sanar-1, Sanar-17, Klimena, Teti, Alexei Savrasov, and Penelopa, each with a deadweight of around 7,000 tonnes, length of 140 metres, and built between 2006 and 2012. [2] The name of the eighth tanker is still being confirmed. [3] Brovdi said that power in occupied Crimea was disrupted during the Ukrainian attack, with power plants allegedly burning along with logistics. [2]

Attacks on Russian Defence Industry and Logistics Targets

Ukrainian drones struck eight Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Sea of Azov. — Source: ukrainskapravda Ukraine's General Staff reported strikes on Kremniy El Group JSC in Bryansk, a microelectronics manufacturer for Russian weapons systems; the Bryansky chemical plant in Seltso producing explosives and rocket propellant; a fuel depot at Belgorod airfield; two railway bridges in occupied Crimea; and logistics depots in Volnovakha and Yasynuvata in Donetsk Oblast. [4] Kremniy El Group JSC in Bryansk has been struck, with the extent of damage and strike results being assessed. [4] Kremniy El Group JSC is one of Russia's leading microelectronics manufacturers, producing microchips, power semiconductor devices and electronic components used in Russian command, communication and electronic warfare systems and weapons. [4] The Bryansky plant in the city of Seltso in Russia's Bryansk Oblast has also been struck, with four explosions recorded in the area of the facility and strike results being assessed. [4] The Bryansk Chemical Plant is an important component of Russia's military-industrial complex, producing gunpowder, explosives and rocket propellant components used in the manufacture of munitions and missiles with which Russian forces strike Ukrainian territory. [4] In addition, the fuel depot at Belgorod airfield was struck, with the extent of damage currently being assessed. [4] Two railway bridges near the settlements of Rozdolne and Ichky in temporarily occupied Crimea were also struck, and the General Staff says these facilities were used by Russian forces for logistics and the transfer of personnel, weapons and ammunition. [4] Logistics depots of Russian forces in the areas of Volnovakha and Yasynuvata in Donetsk Oblast were also struck. [4] The General Staff stressed that Ukraine's defence forces will continue to systematically strike military facilities used by Russia to conduct armed aggression against Ukraine. [4]

Russian Drone Attacks on Kherson Civilians

Russian drone attacks in Kherson injured three men aged 53, 44, and 71 after striking cars in the Korabelnyi and Dniprovskyi districts on the morning of 7 July. [5] The Russians attacked various districts of Kherson with drones on the morning of 7 July, injuring three people. [5] At around 08:30, the Russians attacked a car with a drone in the Korabelnyi district of Kherson, and a car was also struck by a drone in the Dniprovskyi district. [5] Three men aged 53, 44 and 71 were injured as a result of the morning strikes. [5] On the morning of 6 July the Russians attacked civilian cars in Kherson, killing two men and injuring four others, and the Russians later struck the village of Zelenivka in Kherson district with guided aerial bombs, injuring four people, including two girls aged 11 and 17. [5]

Nigerian Medical Graduate Killed in Kharkiv Strike

Ukrainian strikes damaged eight Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Sea of Azov. — Source: ukrainskapravda The Nigerian government expressed condolences over the death of 23-year-old medical graduate Nnani Adaobi Marian from injuries sustained in a Russian aerial attack in Kharkiv and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. [1] The Federal Government has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a Nigerian medical graduate, Miss Nnani Adaobi Marian, who reportedly died from injuries sustained during a Russian aerial attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. [1] In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government said it received with profound sadness the news of the death of the 23-year-old graduate of Kharkiv National Medical University. [1] Marian reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained during a Russian aerial attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. [1] The government extended its condolences to the deceased’s family and all those affected by the tragedy. [1] The Federal Government extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends, colleagues, and the Nigerian community affected by this tragic loss. [1] The ministry was already engaging relevant authorities and Nigeria’s diplomatic missions to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and support the family. [1] The Ministry is in contact with the relevant authorities as well as Nigeria’s Missions in Ukraine and Germany to verify the circumstances surrounding the incident and to provide the necessary consular assistance to the family. [1] The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterates its deep concern over the continuing loss of civilian lives arising from the ongoing conflict and renews its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. [1] Nigeria urges all parties to embrace dialogue, diplomacy, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. [1]

Context on Shadow Fleet and Sanctions

Russia relies on a vast shadow fleet of aging tankers operating under opaque ownership structures and flags of convenience to export oil and petroleum products despite Western sanctions. [2] Ukraine has argued that Russia's shadow fleet vessels may no longer qualify as ordinary civilian shipping under international law, according to a June 26 letter sent by Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba to the International Maritime Organization and first reported by Lloyd's List. [2] As part of the gradual efforts to grind down Russia's war machine from afar, Ukraine has targeted the Russian shadow fleet to intensify pressure on sanctions-busting shippers and insurers at a time when Russian oil exports are already under strain, according to the London-based defense and security think-tank Royal United Services Institute. [2] Following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting oil facilities in Crimea and the attacks on the land corridor connecting the occupied peninsula and Russia, which disrupted supplies, the Russian-installed authorities introduced fuel rationing measures in late May. [2]

Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Concerns

The reported Ukrainian drone strikes on a convoy of Russian tankers come as Ukraine ramps up its long-range attacks across the Russian-occupied territories and inside Russia in recent weeks, inflicting a domestic fuel supply crisis on Russia. [2] The ministry reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the welfare and protection of its citizens abroad, assuring that developments would continue to be closely monitored while necessary support is provided through the country’s diplomatic missions. [1] Sanctions from the skies by the Freedom-Loving Ukrainian Birds of the Unmanned Systems Forces are in effect, Brovdi said. [2]

What to watch next: Ukraine's defence forces will continue to systematically strike military facilities used by Russia to conduct armed aggression against Ukraine, while Nigeria renews its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges all parties to embrace dialogue.

Further Reading

• Ukraine War Map