Ukraine Claims Hits on Russian Ships Near Crimea in Escalated Campaign
Ukraine's military has intensified attacks near Russian-annexed Crimea, targeting maritime supply routes after previously striking the land corridor to the peninsula, according to Ukrainian officials.
Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's drone forces, also known as Magyar, stated that at least 25 ships have been hit and set on fire over the past four days in the Sea of Azov. The Sea of Azov is an inland sea connected to the Black Sea by the Kerch Strait.
If confirmed, such losses would represent a significant blow to Russia's naval capability and its ability to maintain fuel supplies, which President Vladimir Putin has pledged to ensure.
These attacks appear to be part of Ukraine's self-declared 'logistics lockdown' strategy aimed at disrupting supply routes into and out of occupied Crimea.
Ukraine's military has reported 36 ships hit, most of which it says belong to Russia's 'shadow fleet' of commercial oil tankers. However, the exact number remains unclear, as some ships may have been struck multiple times and not all strikes have been independently verified.
The claims could not be independently confirmed at the time of reporting. Russia has not officially commented on the specific incidents.
