Ukraine’s Drone Campaign Hits 218 Russian Vessels Across Black and Azov Seas

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) have struck another 12 Russian vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov since the beginning of August, bringing the reported total hit during a month-long maritime campaign to 218.

SBS Commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi reported the figures on August 8, saying the latest strikes were carried out between August 1 and 8 as part of Operation “MoLoChKa,” which began on July 6.

According to Brovdi, Ukrainian drones have so far successfully targeted 134 vessels in the Sea of Azov and another 84 in the Black Sea. The operation is aimed at disrupting Russian maritime logistics, including vessels associated with Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet.

Brovdi also said shipping through the Kerch Strait has remained blocked since July 10—a period of 30 days as of August 8. The claim could not be independently verified.

Footage released by the SBS showed one of the latest strikes near the Russian Black Sea resort city of Gelendzhik. According to Brovdi, a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system fired three missiles at the approaching Ukrainian drone but failed to intercept it before the drone reached the vessel.

Separate footage published from the Russian Black Sea coast showed vessels being targeted near Gelendzhik and Novorossiysk.

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War in Ukraine

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According to an August 7 operational report from the Unmanned Systems Forces, Ukrainian units struck three vessels during that day alone.

During strikes on August 5 and 6, six additional vessels were targeted in the Black and Azov seas, including two tankers and four dry cargo ships, according to information released by Brovdi and reported by Militarnyi.

The maritime campaign began on July 6 as Ukraine expanded long-range drone operations against Russian logistics in and around temporarily occupied Crimea. The strikes have run in parallel with attacks on oil facilities, energy infrastructure, railways, bridges, and other routes used to supply Russian forces on the peninsula.

On August 8, the Ukrainian Navy struck Russian drone-control and surveillance equipment installed on the Syvash offshore drilling platform at the Holitsynske gas condensate field, which Russian forces had converted into a forward military position.

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