Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Oil Tankers and Vessels in Black Sea

Ukraine's Defense Forces have launched drone attacks targeting three Russian oil tankers and two other vessels in the Black Sea, escalating efforts to disrupt key export routes. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported successful strikes against the Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker 'Avero' and three oil storage facilities in Russia's Stavropol region.

The SBU stated that the 'Avero,' which was transporting Russian crude oil to China and India and had been previously sanctioned by Ukraine, was hit by a maritime drone. A video of the attack was released by the SBU. This marks the fourth large 'Suezmax' class oil tanker, capable of carrying substantial oil volumes, struck by the SBU in the past ten days.

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The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) carried out successful attacks against the Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tanker 'Avero' in the Black Sea, as well as against three oil storage facilities in the Stavropol region of the Russian Federation.

In addition to the tankers, two other cargo ships and a floating crane were reportedly hit overnight in the Black Sea by aerial drones deployed by Ukraine's Unmanned Vehicle Forces. Ukraine claims that since the beginning of the month, 176 Russian vessels in the Black and Azov Seas have been targeted by drones. These attacks have reportedly crippled 75% of the Kerch ferry's capacity, which connects occupied Crimea with Russia.

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The 'Avero' became the fourth large oil tanker of the 'Suezmax' class, capable of transporting particularly large volumes of oil, hit by the SBU in the last ten days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attacks on Russian oil tankers and infrastructure as a "just and precise response" to Russian assaults. Ukraine asserts that these operations hinder Russian oil exports, cut off Kremlin revenue used to fund the war, and reduce Russia's ability to supply fuel to its troops.

In retaliation, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure, particularly in the Odesa region. These strikes have raised concerns about the future of Ukraine's grain exports, a sector where Ukraine remains a major global supplier. According to Ukraine's Air Force, Russian missiles also struck Pivdenne, one of Ukraine's three largest ports, on Sunday afternoon.

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These attacks against Russian oil tankers, as well as against other oil infrastructure in Russia, constitute 'a just and precise response' to Russian attacks.