Ukrainian forces are intensifying strikes against Russian fuel tankers as Russia increasingly relies on seaborne transportation of gasoline to occupied Crimea from Russia.
Ukrainian Navy Spokesperson Captain Third Rank Dmytro Pletenchuk reported on July 8 that Russia has shifted to using fuel tankers to transport fuel between Russia and occupied Ukraine, particularly from occupied Mariupol and Berdyansk ports via the Sea of Azov, to address gasoline shortages in occupied Crimea, as Ukrainian strikes are denying Russia the use of the M-14 Rostov-Crimea highway.
Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) Commander Major Robert 'Magyar' Brovdi reported on July 8 that Ukrainian forces struck nine Russian fuel tankers in the Azov Sea overnight on July 7 to 8, and that Ukrainian forces struck 19 Russian fuel tankers, a cargo ship, and a ferry over the past 72 hours.
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported on July 8 that a Ukrainian Sea Baby naval drone struck the Suezmax-class Russian shadow fleet tanker Blue off the coast of occupied Yalta (roughly 263 kilometers from the frontline).
The SBU noted that Russia previously used the Blue tanker to transport significant volumes of oil and petroleum products to circumvent international sanctions. Ukrainian forces struck eight Russian shadow fleet tankers, including Venera-3, Sanar-1, Sanar-17, Klimena, Teti, Alexei Savrasov, Ivan Cheremisinov, and Penelopa tankers on the night of July 6 to 7 in an effort to inhibit Russian gasoline transports to occupied Crimea.
Ukraine’s continuous intermediate- and long-range strike campaign against Russian land transportation routes is degrading the logistics routes between Russia and occupied Crimea, forcing occupied Crimea to rely on seaborne fuel supplies to address fuel shortages.
