Key facts
- Ukraine claims its drones struck nine Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Sea of Azov overnight.
- Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Robert Brovdi claimed responsibility for the strikes.
- Brovdi stated that over the past 72 hours, Ukrainian forces hit 21 vessels, including 19 shadow fleet tankers.
- Russia claimed drone strikes killed one person and damaged two empty oil tankers and industrial sites.
- Russian-installed authorities reported downing 27 drones overnight.
Ukrainian long-range drones struck nine Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Sea of Azov overnight, according to Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Robert Brovdi, known by the callsign "Madyar." This follows his claim of hitting eight similar vessels the previous day. Brovdi stated that over the past 72 hours, Ukrainian forces hit a total of 21 vessels, including 19 shadow fleet tankers, one cargo ship, and one ferry. He also reported that Ukrainian drones struck 53 Russian military targets in occupied Crimea and southern Ukraine, and hit six electrical substations. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify Brovdi's claims. Russian-installed Crimea occupation head Sergey Aksyonov claimed Russian air defenses had repelled four Ukrainian attacks overnight, shooting down 27 drones and reporting no casualties. Ukraine has been targeting Russia's shadow fleet, which consists of aging tankers operating under opaque ownership and flags of convenience, to disrupt oil exports and increase pressure on shippers and insurers amid existing sanctions. These strikes come as Ukraine intensifies long-range attacks across occupied territories and inside Russia, contributing to a domestic fuel supply crisis. The SBU also reported targeting military bases, port infrastructure, and ammunition and fuel depots in Crimea.