Key facts
- Ukraine struck 12 vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet in the Black Sea.
- The attacks are intended to prevent Russia from supplying fuel to occupied regions of Eastern Ukraine and Crimea.
- The strikes also aim to curb Russia's efforts to circumvent sanctions.
- Kyiv has recently intensified attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, including oil refineries and fuel tankers.
- Moscow has increased shipments by small vessels across the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea to maintain fuel supplies to Crimea.
Ukraine has escalated its attacks on Russia's fuel infrastructure in the Black Sea, targeting vessels to disrupt supply lines to occupied territories and undermine sanctions. Commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, announced that 12 vessels of Russia's shadow fleet were struck on Thursday night. Brovdi stated the objective is to cause 'incurable paralysis of oil, fuel, cargo logistics in circumvention of sanctions.'