After the Sea of Azov, Ukraine’s Drone Fleet Turns to the Black Sea, Hitting 20 Russian Ships

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) say they have expanded their campaign against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet from the Sea of Azov into the Black Sea, claiming strikes on 20 Russian vessels overnight.

According to statements published by SBS Commander Maj. Robert “Madyar” Brovdi on July 15, Ukrainian drone units struck 20 Russian vessels overnight, including 17 oil tankers, two LNG tankers, and one tugboat. Brovdi said an official report and video evidence would be released later.

According to Brovdi, the latest operation marks a new phase of Ukraine’s maritime drone campaign after SBS concluded what it described as the first stage of operations in the Sea of Azov.

“One hundred sixteen vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet in the Sea of Azov—the first round of the naval battle is complete. Now it’s the Black Sea: 20–0 today. We hunted 17 oil tankers, two LNG tankers, and one tugboat. An official report, along with video evidence, will follow.”

He did not disclose the identities of the ships or the extent of the reported damage.

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War in Ukraine

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In a separate statement, Brovdi responded to comments made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who had described Ukraine’s previous attacks on Russian tankers in the Sea of Azov as “terrorism” and “worse than piracy.”

“There is no piracy, Lavrov—just business. Yours. Bloody. In the sights of the Free Ukrainian Bird. To the bottom of the sea.”

The latest announcement follows a sustained Ukrainian campaign against vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. According to previous SBS statements, Ukrainian forces struck 116 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov over the preceding nine days before shifting operations into the Black Sea.

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