Ukraine Strikes Seven Russian Shadow Fleet Vessels and Crimea Energy Sites
Ukrainian forces carried out Ukraine strikes overnight on July 20 that hit seven Russian shadow fleet vessels in the Black and Azov seas along with seven energy infrastructure facilities in occupied Crimea. [1] These actions formed part of ongoing operations targeting Russian logistics. [1]
Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Russian Vessels and Energy Sites
Ukrainian drones struck seven Russian shadow fleet vessels, seven energy facilities in occupied Crimea, among other military targets, overnight on July 20, Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi said. [1] Three tankers and four dry cargo ships were hit in the Black and Azov seas as part of Operation "MoLoCHKa," according to Brovdi. [1] He did not identify the vessels or specify the extent of the damage. [1] The operation, whose acronym translates from Ukrainian as "Moscow will fall because of Crimea," began on July 6 and aims to disrupt Russia's shadow fleet and logistics. [1] Brovdi claimed that Ukrainian forces had struck 183 vessels between July 1 and 20, including 119 in the Azov Sea and 64 in the Black Sea. [1] As part of a separate campaign dubbed "Crimean Switch Off," Ukrainian drones targeted seven energy hubs and electrical substations in Yalta, Morske, Pryvitne, Luchyste, and other locations in Russian-occupied Crimea, Brovdi said. [1] Ukrainian forces have targeted 103 energy facilities under the campaign since the beginning of July, according to the commander. [1] The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims. [1]
Impact on Kerch Strait Logistics
Ukrainian strikes hit seven Russian shadow fleet vessels in the Black and Azov seas. — Source: newsmax Brovdi also said on July 19 that the strikes had reduced the capacity of the Kerch Strait ferry service between Russia and occupied Crimea by 75%. [1] Three of the five ferries serving or held in reserve for the route have been destroyed, while the remaining two have lost the ability to move under their own power and are being used as barges pulled by tugboats, according to the commander. [1] Before the operation, the ferries could transport between 180 and 250 vehicles per day, around 80% of which supported the Russian military, Brovdi said. [1] The Kerch Strait is a critical logistical route that Moscow uses to transport personnel, equipment, and supplies between Russia and occupied Crimea. [1]
Destruction of Russian Air Defense Assets
Brovdi added that Ukrainian forces destroyed six Russian air defense assets in Yeysk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Kamyshevatskaya in Russia. [1] The targets included a Tor-M2 air defense system, two Nebo-SV radar systems, and Nebo-U, Kasta-2E2, and Gamma-S1M radars. [1] According to Brovdi, Ukrainian drones have destroyed 25 Russian air defense assets since July 1, including 12 air defense systems, 12 radar systems, and one electronic warfare system. [1] The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims. [1]
Russian Counterstrikes on Ukrainian Targets
A Russian missile strike on a ship carrying corn near Ukraine's southern port of Odesa killed 10 people, Ukrainian officials said on Monday, in the deadliest attack in a weeks-long flare-up of violence in the Black Sea. [2] Russia hit the Golden Leo - a Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel. [2] Three hospital workers have been injured in a Russian attack on a medical facility in Kherson on the afternoon of 20 July. [4] A 49-year-old female doctor and two maintenance workers, aged 52 and 71, sustained blast injuries and are suffering from concussion. [4] All three will receive outpatient treatment. [4]
Strike on Russian FSB Base in Kherson Oblast
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has said it carried out a strike on a coordination centre and deployment site used by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) in the temporarily occupied part of Kherson Oblast. [3] According to preliminary estimates, around 100 Russian troops may have been at the facility. [3] The SSU reports that special forces from its Alpha Special Operations Centre attacked a holiday resort that Russian security forces were using as a coordination centre and deployment site for FSB personnel. [3] "According to preliminary estimates, around 100 military personnel may have been at the FSB coordination centre. SSU intelligence also confirmed that more than 70 vehicles were at the site, armed guards were on duty, checkpoints were in operation and engineering obstacles and underground shelters had been installed. During the special operation, 13 SSU drones struck the FSB personnel's base. The strike caused a large-scale fire." [3] The SSU said such special operations are designed to weaken Russia's military and economic potential, disrupt the command and control of Russian forces and complicate their logistics in the temporarily occupied territories. [3]
Broader Black Sea and Drone Campaign Context
Ukraine targeted Moscow and the surrounding region with more than 400 drones overnight, while a Russian missile strike killed 10 people aboard a corn-carrying vessel near the Ukrainian port of Odesa, officials said on Monday, marking a sharp escalation in attacks far beyond the war’s front lines. [5] Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said more than 400 “enemy drones” were launched at the Moscow region between 8:30 pm on Sunday and 5 am on Monday. [5] Most were intercepted by air-defence systems at long range, he said, including 85 destroyed while approaching the Russian capital. [5] The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces had shot down 381 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov overnight. [5] At least 10 people were wounded in Moscow and the surrounding region, according to Russian officials. [5] Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said seven people, including three Chinese nationals, were injured in an attack on Domodedovo, near one of the capital’s main airports. [5] Domodedovo Mayor Yevgeniya Khrustaleva said a fire broke out at a local industrial park and a residential building was struck. [5] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv’s forces had targeted logistics facilities and an oil depot in the Moscow region. [5] Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, said it temporarily evacuated its logistics centre in the Podolsk district as a precaution before resuming normal operations. [5] Seven Wildberries warehouse workers were killed and dozens of people injured in waves of Ukrainian drone attacks on Saturday. [5] A separate attack started a fire at an oil depot in the wider Moscow region. [5] Ukraine has accused Wildberries of selling military supplies used in Russia’s war effort. [5] Farther south, near the Ukrainian border, one person was killed and four others injured when a drone struck a village in Russia’s Belgorod region, its governor said. [5] The overnight assault coincided with reports of a deadly Russian attack on commercial shipping near Odesa. [5] Ukraine said Russia struck the Golden Leo, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel carrying corn, with three cruise missiles on Sunday. [5] The attack caused a fire aboard the ship, which was crewed by Indian and Syrian nationals, the Ukrainian navy said on Telegram. [5] A Reuters witness in Odesa saw smoke billowing from a vessel off the coast and verified that it was the Golden Leo. [5] A search-and-rescue operation continued throughout the night. [5] Nine crew members and a Ukrainian maritime pilot were killed, while eight of the vessel’s 17 crew members were rescued, Ukraine’s seaports authority said. [5] The Golden Leo is owned by Mumbai-based Ocean Grace Shipping Ltd, according to LSEG data. [5] Its manager, Friends Shipping Co SA, did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. [5] Moscow made no immediate public comment on the strike. [5] The attack was the deadliest incident in a weeks-long resurgence of violence in the Black Sea, where Russia and Ukraine have increasingly targeted shipping, ports and energy infrastructure. [5] Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces also struck fuel reservoirs at the port of Odesa overnight, Interfax reported. [5] Russian attacks have killed 28 people in the Odesa region so far this month, according to the regional governor. [5] The Black Sea became a major flashpoint after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. [5] Commercial shipping subsequently recovered under arrangements intended to facilitate grain exports and limit global food-price shocks, but renewed attacks are again disrupting the crucial trade route. [5] Ukrainian forces have targeted Russian energy infrastructure and oil tankers, while Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian deepwater ports and cargo vessels. [5] Both countries are major grain exporters. [5] Ukraine has accounted in recent seasons for about 6% of global wheat exports and 11% of corn exports, but Russian missile and drone attacks have eliminated about a third of its Black Sea grain-export capacity, according to traders and analysts. [5] Ukrainian attacks have meanwhile forced Russia, the world’s largest grain exporter, to restrict shipping through the Sea of Azov, a route responsible for about a quarter of its grain exports, sources have told Reuters. [5]
What to watch next: The weeks-long resurgence of violence in the Black Sea continues with both sides targeting shipping, ports and energy infrastructure.
