Ukraine's drones disable 300 Russian shadow fleet ships in 11 weeks as Azov Sea traffic stalls
Ukraine's drone force commander says 300 Russian shadow fleet vessels have been disabled over 11 weeks, effectively halting shipping in the Azov Sea, though the pace of strikes has recently slowed.
Sharp rise since July
The commander of Ukraine's drone force has announced that over the past 11 weeks, Ukrainian forces have disabled 300 ships belonging to Russia's so-called shadow fleet. This marks a significant jump from the 201 ships reported at the end of July.
Azov Sea shipping halted
According to the commander, sustained strikes have brought shipping in the Azov Sea to a near standstill. The term "shadow fleet" refers to vessels Russia uses to transport oil and other goods while evading international sanctions, often by concealing true ownership or using aging ships with questionable safety records.
Pace has slowed
The commander noted that the pace of strikes has slowed recently because shipping traffic in the strike zone has thinned out significantly, meaning fewer targets are available than before. This suggests that earlier operations have already had a measurable effect on vessel movement in the region.
The report highlights the growing role of Ukraine's drone forces in maritime warfare aimed at countering Russian attempts to circumvent sanctions through its shadow fleet.
