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Ukrainian maritime drones struck another 12 vessels linked to Russia's shadow fleet in the Black Sea on July 17, bringing the total number of ships hit during Operation MoLoChKa to 159, according to the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert "Madyar" Brovdi.
According to the military, the latest targets included:
- nine cargo ships;
- one oil tanker;
- one LNG tanker;
- one tugboat.
The operation has been ongoing since July 6. Ukrainian forces say they have disabled 117 vessels in the Sea of Azov and 42 in the Black Sea.
The Unmanned Systems Forces said the campaign aims to disrupt Russia's logistics network used to transport oil, fuel, and cargo in circumvention of international sanctions.
According to the military, the drones are designed to disable vessels by rendering them inoperable rather than sinking them, in an effort to avoid oil spills and environmental damage.
The announcement follows overnight drone strikes on occupied Crimea, where fires were reported at railway infrastructure in Kerch.
