Key facts
- Ukrainian drones struck seven Russian shadow fleet vessels and seven energy facilities in occupied Crimea on July 20.
- The targeted vessels included three tankers and four dry cargo ships.
- The operation, "MoLoCHKa," aims to disrupt Russia's shadow fleet and logistics.
- Seven energy hubs and electrical substations were targeted in a separate campaign, "Crimean Switch Off."
- Six Russian air defense assets were destroyed in Russia.
- The Kerch Strait ferry service capacity has been reduced by 75% due to destroyed or disabled ferries.
Ukrainian drones conducted overnight strikes on July 20, targeting seven Russian shadow fleet vessels and seven energy infrastructure facilities in occupied Crimea, according to Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, Commander of Unmanned Systems Forces. The operation, named "MoLoCHKa," which translates to "Moscow will fall because of Crimea," aims to disrupt Russia's shadow fleet and logistics. Brovdi stated that three tankers and four dry cargo ships were hit in the Black and Azov seas. He also claimed that Ukrainian forces had struck 183 vessels between July 1 and 20.
In a separate campaign, "Crimean Switch Off," Ukrainian drones targeted seven energy hubs and electrical substations in various locations across occupied Crimea. Brovdi reported that Ukrainian forces have targeted 103 energy facilities since the beginning of July under this campaign.
Furthermore, Brovdi claimed that Ukrainian forces destroyed six Russian air defense assets in Yeysk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Kamyshevatskaya in Russia, including specific radar systems and a Tor-M2 air defense system. He stated that Ukrainian drones have destroyed 25 Russian air defense assets since July 1.
Regarding the Kerch Strait ferry service, Brovdi reported on July 19 that its capacity has been reduced by 75%. Three of the five ferries serving or held in reserve for the route have been destroyed, and the remaining two are no longer operational under their own power, being used as barges. This route is critical for Russia's transportation of personnel, equipment, and supplies to occupied Crimea.