Key facts
- Ukrainian drones struck Russian oil facilities and tankers in the Sea of Azov.
- The attacks aim to disrupt fuel supplies to Russian forces and isolate occupied Crimea.
- Over a dozen Russian fuel tankers, a tugboat, and a dry cargo ship were hit.
- Ukraine has intensified attacks on Crimea's logistics and energy infrastructure.
- Russia claimed to have downed 73 Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine reported Russian drone and missile attacks.
Ukrainian drones struck more than a dozen Russian tankers in the Sea of Azov overnight, according to Ukraine's military. These attacks are part of an intensified campaign aimed at disrupting fuel supplies to Russian forces and isolating Moscow-occupied Crimea. The vessels were reportedly used to supply fuel to the Russian military and transport oil in circumvention of international sanctions. A tugboat and a dry cargo ship were also hit. This brings the total number of vessels targeted in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea over the past four days to 36, including 32 "shadow fleet" tankers. The regional governor of Russia's Rostov region confirmed two tankers had been attacked. Ukraine has been targeting logistics and energy infrastructure in Crimea, contributing to fuel shortages. Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses downed 73 Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia launched 94 long-range drones and two ballistic missiles, causing damage at 13 locations.