Ukraine has intensified its maritime campaign, striking over 200 Russian vessels in and around the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov since July 6, according to Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces. This offensive has effectively transformed the strategically important waterway into a perilous zone for Russia's shadow fleet. Dramatic footage has emerged showing damaged ships, some engulfed in flames or abandoned, navigating the waters.
The Ukrainian military reported on Tuesday that its drones have hit 201 Russian shadow-fleet and associated vessels as part of "Operation MoLoChKa." The latest tally comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Donald Trump at the White House, seeking increased American military support and further pressure on Russia.
One recent incident, captured on video on July 24, shows a Ukrainian drone striking the Belize-flagged bulk carrier New Victory as it approached the Russian port of Taman. The 29-year-old cargo vessel, built in 1997, has a carrying capacity of over 26,500 tons.
Additional footage reportedly filmed by foreign sailors depicts another Russian-linked vessel ablaze in the waters between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, illustrating the aftermath of further Ukrainian strikes. Images also show two abandoned vessels, one with a green hull and another red, displaying significant blast and fire damage, with smoke visible above the red-hulled ship.
Another video captures a scorched bulk carrier being towed by two tugboats. While its name is unclear, hull markings suggest it might be the "Volgo-Balt." These scenes highlight the increasing dangers for shipping operating near the Kerch Strait, the narrow passage linking the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea.
This waterway is crucial for Moscow, facilitating the transport of oil, fuel, grain, and other cargo between Russian ports, and supporting Russian operations in occupied Crimea and southern Ukraine. Observers are likening the situation to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil chokepoint controlled by Iran, though the Kerch Strait's significance is more regional but critical to Russia's control over Crimea.
Ukraine's maritime offensive has targeted a range of vessels, including tankers, bulk carriers, ferries, gas carriers, tugboats, and floating cranes. The reported 201 figure refers to vessels struck, not necessarily sunk or destroyed, with damage often resulting in fires, disabling the ships and requiring rescue operations.
This campaign has compelled Russia to reallocate air defense assets and specialized drone units to protect its maritime supply lines, disrupting traffic through the Kerch Strait and the Don-Azov shipping system. Russia has condemned these attacks on merchant vessels as "terrorism," while international maritime authorities have voiced concerns about the risks to civilian seafarers and the potential for major oil spills.
Ukraine maintains that vessels carrying Russian fuel, sanctioned exports, or supplies for Moscow's occupation forces are integral to the Kremlin's war economy. The ongoing strikes underscore Ukraine's evolving tactics in the conflict and their impact on Russian logistics and economic infrastructure.