Ukraine's military has significantly intensified its targeting of Russian maritime supply routes near annexed Crimea, following earlier strikes on land corridors to the peninsula. Reports from Ukraine's drone force commander, Robert Brovdi, indicate that at least 25 ships were hit and set alight in the Sea of Azov over a four-day period, between 6 and 9 July. These attacks form part of what Ukraine describes as a "logistics lockdown", aimed at severely disrupting the flow of supplies and personnel into and out of occupied Crimea.
The majority of the vessels reportedly targeted belong to Russia's "shadow fleet" of commercial oil tankers. While the exact number of unique ships hit remains unconfirmed due to potential multiple strikes on the same vessel, Ukrainian military sources suggest a total of 36 ships have been affected. Satellite imagery analysed by BBC Verify previously showed a reduction in tanker activity near Kerch port after a Ukrainian attack last month, and a recent image from 10 July revealed a large plume of smoke from a vessel off the Crimean coast, with approximately 20 other ships observed departing the area.
Specific incidents highlighted by Ukrainian officials include two empty tankers attacked in Taganrog Bay, which were reportedly still burning on 11 July. Brovdi also stated that two tankers hit earlier in the week were each carrying an estimated 7,000 tonnes of fuel from the Taganrog area to Crimea. Beyond the Sea of Azov, Ukraine's general staff released footage on 10 July of a naval drone attack on a sanctioned tanker named Blue, reportedly occurring near Yalta in the Black Sea, further demonstrating the expanded reach of these operations.
This renewed focus on maritime targets coincides with persistent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, which have led to widespread fuel shortages across Russia, including in major cities like Moscow and St Petersburg. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly stated that these strikes are a legitimate response to Russian aggression, asserting that Russians must "feel that it is their state that is waging war." These combined efforts aim to exert significant economic and logistical pressure on Russia's war effort.
The implications for the UK and its allies are multifaceted. While British nationals are advised against all travel to Ukraine by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and specifically against travel to Crimea, the escalation of attacks on Russian energy infrastructure could have broader geopolitical and economic consequences. Disruptions to global energy markets, even indirect ones, can impact fuel prices in the UK, although the immediate effect is likely to be limited given the UK's diversified energy supply.
The UK Government, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, views these actions as part of Ukraine's legitimate self-defence. While direct trade implications for the UK are minimal given existing sanctions against Russia, the sustained pressure on Russia's military and economic capabilities aligns with the UK's strategic objectives to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The long-term effectiveness of these strikes in altering the course of the conflict will be closely watched by international observers.