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Ukraine Hits 13 More Russian Shadow Fleet Vessels, Bringing Total to 172 in 13 Days
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Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) said they struck 13 additional Russian vessels overnight on July 18 as part of the ongoing “MoLoChKa” maritime campaign, bringing the total number of Russian ships reportedly hit since July 6 to 172 across the Black and Azov seas.
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According to a statement published by SBS Commander Maj. Robert “Madyar” Brovdi on Telegram on July 18, the latest operation targeted eight cargo ships, one oil tanker, one LNG tanker, one tugboat, and two floating cranes.
Brovdi said the campaign has now affected 172 vessels over 13 days, including 118 in the Sea of Azov and 54 in the Black Sea.
According to the commander, the operation is intended to disrupt Russia’s maritime logistics network used to transport oil, fuel, and other cargo while circumventing international sanctions.
“The goal remains unchanged: to stop the logistics of oil, fuel, and cargo transported in circumvention of sanctions. Every self-propelled vessel will be turned into a drifting barge—blind and deaf; creating oil spills is not the objective, therefore no hull breaches.”
Brovdi also stated that Russian forces have been forced to divert resources from the front line to protect maritime logistics. According to his Telegram post, Russia has reportedly reassigned up to 200 Rubikon drone teams, along with air defense assets from the 51st Air Defense Division and a Black Sea Fleet anti-aircraft regiment, to defend vessels operating in the Black and Azov seas.
He said these units are employing interceptor drones, man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), and machine guns against Ukrainian maritime drone attacks.
The “MoLoChKa” operation began on July 6, according to the SBS commander. Ukrainian officials say the campaign is focused on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet—a network of commercial vessels used to transport Russian oil and petroleum products despite Western sanctions.
On July 17, SBS reported striking 12 Russian vessels, following 11 vessels reportedly hit during overnight operations on July 16. Ukrainian military officials have previously stated that the campaign has contributed to a reduction in Russian maritime traffic in the Sea of Azov and increased pressure on Russia’s logistics supporting temporarily occupied Crimea.
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