Ukrainian Forces Strike 12 Tankers, Tugboat, Dry Cargo Ship and Oil Terminal in Sea of Azov
Ukrainian defense forces struck 12 Russian tankers, a tugboat, a dry cargo ship in the Sea of Azov, as well as an oil terminal and an ammunition depot overnight on July 9.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that on the night of July 9, defense units delivered strikes against a number of important military and military-economic targets of the Russian aggressor. The attack hit 12 tankers, one tugboat, and one dry cargo ship in the Sea of Azov.
Additionally, strikes were carried out on the oil terminal "Yug Rusi" in Bataysk, Rostov Oblast, where a fire was reported, and on an ammunition depot near Sorokyne in Luhansk Oblast. The extent of damage and results are being clarified.
According to the General Staff, the targeted Russian vessels were used for supplying fuel to Russian troop groupings and for transporting oil and oil products in circumvention of international sanctions. These exports are a key source of funding for the war against Ukraine.
The oil terminal "Yug Rusi" handles transshipment of oil products for export and provides fuel to Russian forces on the southern front.
In previous nights, Ukrainian forces have regularly attacked Russian "shadow fleet" vessels. On July 6, two tankers, two S-400 air defense systems, an oil depot in Kerch, and a radar were hit. On July 7, the "Magyar Birds" unit attacked 8 tankers. On July 8 and 9, Rostov Oblast Governor Yuri Slyusar reported damage to two tankers in the Taganrog Bay due to drone attacks.
