The Security Service of Ukraine carried out successful strikes against the Russian “shadow fleet” tanker Avero in the Black Sea, as well as three oil depots in Russia’s Stavropol Krai. According to the SSU, the special operations were conducted as part of efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the aggressor state, in line with tasks set by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Avero tanker was involved in transporting Russian crude oil during the period of the oil embargo imposed by G7 countries and the European Union. The vessel transported oil, including to China and India. The tanker, which is under Ukrainian sanctions, was targeted by the SSU’s Mamai naval drone.
According to the SSU, vessels belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet” help the Kremlin bypass international restrictions, maintain oil exports, and generate revenues used to finance the war.
This is already the fourth Russian “shadow fleet” tanker struck by the SSU over the past ten days. All of these vessels belong to the Suezmax class — large ocean-going tankers designed to transport significant volumes of crude oil and petroleum products.
In addition, SSU drones struck three oil depots in Stavropol Krai. The distance from Ukraine’s state border to the targets was approximately 600 kilometers. The attacks caused large-scale fires at all three facilities. Explosions and fires involving fuel storage tanks were reported.
The SSU said such special operations complicate Russia’s oil exports, deprive the Kremlin of oil revenues used to finance the war against Ukraine, and reduce the Russian ability to supply fuel to its armed forces.
