Ukraine targets Russian ships in Sea of Azov, impacting exports and Crimea supply

Ukraine's armed forces have escalated their campaign against Russian transport vessels in the Sea of Azov, reporting significant strikes overnight. On Saturday, the General Staff announced that 21 tankers, two bulk carriers, and five smaller vessels were hit. This marks the sixth consecutive major strike targeting Russian transport ships in the Sea of Azov.

According to Reuters sources, Russia was compelled to halt ship traffic on the Azov-Don Canal and the Kerch Strait on Friday evening. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reportedly issued the order, with no indication of when traffic would resume. This route is crucial, handling up to a quarter of Russia's wheat exports. Russia has officially confirmed only eight of the 74 vessels Ukraine claims to have hit since Monday.

This new tactic by Ukraine involves systematically targeting ships, a departure from previous sporadic attacks. The primary objective appears to be isolating the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula. These maritime strikes are part of a broader strategy that includes targeting fuel trucks heading to Crimea and attacking oil infrastructure directly on the peninsula. Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksi Kuleba has stated that "Russia's oil and gas transport vessels are crucial for replenishing the Russian budget and continuing the country's military operations."

Russia has condemned Ukraine's actions as acts of international terrorism. Meanwhile, a British think tank, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), noted in January that attacks on Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers increase pressure on charterers and insurers circumventing sanctions. The disruption to Russian oil and gas exports, vital for the national budget and military funding, is a key element of Ukraine's strategy.

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Russia's oil and gas transport vessels are crucial for replenishing the Russian budget and continuing the country's military operations.