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Ukraine Says 201 Russian Vessels Hit in Three Weeks—Now It’s Running Out of Targets
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Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces struck 201 Russian vessels during three weeks of Operation MoLoChKa in the Black and Azov seas, leaving Kerch Bay blocked and so few targets remaining that commanders say reaching their original goal may now prove difficult.
Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, announced the results on the evening of July 28.
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According to Brovdi, Ukrainian drones hit 129 vessels in the Sea of Azov and another 72 in the Black Sea.
The total does not include ships targeted by Ukraine’s Security Service or other branches of the Defense Forces, meaning the broader number of Russian vessels struck during the campaign could be higher.
With over 200 ships hit in the Azov and Black Sea this month, Russian Black Sea exports (and the revenue they bring) are being cut off.
— Maria Drutska 🇺🇦 (@maria_drutska) July 29, 2026
And Russians now want to put guns and missiles on the remaining ships.
Slight problem: there aren't many operable cargo ships left to arm.🔥 pic.twitter.com/JnJFo417p7
“We promised to hit 221 vessels. We will have to push ourselves, because there are simply none left there except damaged ones turned into non-self-propelled barges,” Brovdi said. “Kerch Bay is blocked for an indefinite period.”
The operation has focused on disrupting Russia’s maritime logistics, including tankers, cargo ships, ferries, and support vessels used to transport fuel and other supplies.
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Rather than sinking every target, Ukrainian forces have sought to disable propulsion, navigation, and communications systems, leaving vessels unable to operate independently while reducing the risk of major oil spills.
Earlier, Russian authorities started to consider a plan to equip civilian grain carriers operating in the Sea of Azov with military-grade defensive equipment, including heavy machine guns and mobile missile launchers, as Ukrainian drone attacks continue to disrupt one of the country’s key export routes.
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