Ukraine Hits 11 Russian Ships and Wipes Out 6 Air Defense Systems in One Night

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces carried out a broad overnight strike campaign against Russian military and infrastructure targets across the Black and Azov seas, occupied Crimea, and southern Russia, the 414th “Birds of Madyar” Brigade reported on July 20.

Ukrainian drone units struck 11 vessels during the operation, including five tankers, five cargo ships, and a floating crane operating in the Black and Azov seas.

In occupied Crimea, the drones also hit seven energy hubs and electrical substations, including facilities in Yalta, Morske, Pryvitne, and Luchyste.

Across Russia, Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed six components of Moscow’s air defense network near Yeysk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Kamyshevatskaya.

The destroyed equipment included a Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile system and five radar stations: two Nebo-SV systems, one Nebo-U, one Kasta-2E2, and one Gamma-S1M.

The strikes involved operators from Ukraine’s 414th, 20th, 412th, and 427th unmanned systems brigades, the 413th Regiment, and the 1st Unmanned Systems Center.

Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Maj. Robert “Madyar” Brovdi said the campaign has now affected more than 172 vessels, including 118 in the Sea of Azov and 54 in the Black Sea.

Previously, Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck a second Russian Project 10410 Svetlyak-class patrol ship in the temporarily occupied Crimean port of Kerch within two days, while also targeting multiple maritime logistics assets, a fuel depot near Moscow, and a railway bridge used by Russian forces.

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