Ukraine said on Tuesday that another 11 Russian vessels have been targeted in the Sea of Azov in overnight strikes.
Kyiv’s drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, known by his callsign “Magyar”, said in a statement on Telegram that the targets included five tankers, five cargo vessels and one tugboat.
He said the aim was to damage Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” and to limit Russia’s fuel supplies to Moscow-controlled Crimea.
The Reuters news agency reported that shipping in the area remained restricted on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.
A vessel is seen in this screen grab taken from undated drone footage which Ukrainian authorities said showed an attack on a Russian vessel at seaImage: Commander of Unmanned Aerial Systems Force/Handout/REUTERS
Ukraine says more than 116 Russia vessels hit in Sea of Azov
Ukraine claims that forces have struck 116 vessels over the past nine days in the Sea of Azov in operations targeting Russian shipping.
On Saturday, Ukraine said 21 Russian oil tankers were struck in the Sea of Azov in one of the largest Ukrainian drones strikes on Russian shipping since the start of the war.
Ukraine has ramped up its drone-producing capability and has increasingly targeted Russia’s energy infrastructure, including oil refineries, causing disruption to Russia’s production means while bringing the war home to Russians.
Kyiv is also launching strikes deeper into Russian territory with more frequency.
Russia looking for ‘alternative shipping routes’
Russia’s Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday said it was looking to reroute grain shipments from the Sea of Azov amid Ukrainian strikes on shipping in the region.
“Alternative shipping routes are currently being worked out in collaboration with relevant agencies and the business community,” Russia’s agriculture ministry said in a statement and insisted that exports would continue.
Ukraine calls on allies to help with air defenses
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“The situation in the Azov Sea will not affect the domestic market’s food supply or our country’s export capabilities,” the ministry said, saying “supply logistics will be redirected if necessary.”
Russian authorities have not said whether restrictions on traffic in the Sea of Azov were in place.
Edited by: Zac Crellin
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