Ukraine said Tuesday that another 11 Russian ships were targeted in the Sea of Azov in attacks overnight.
Kiev’s drone force commander, Robert Brovdy, known by his callsign “Magyar,” said in a statement on Telegram that the targets included five tankers, five cargo ships and a tugboat.
He said it was aimed at damaging Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” and limiting Russia’s fuel supplies to Moscow-controlled Crimea.
Shipping in the area remained restricted on Tuesday, Reuters news agency reported, citing unnamed sources.
Ukraine says more than 116 Russian ships collide in Sea of Azov
Ukraine claims forces have attacked 116 ships in the past nine days in a crackdown targeting Russian shipping in the Sea of Azov.
On Saturday, Ukraine said 21 Russian oil tankers were attacked in the Sea of Azov in one of the largest Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian shipping since the beginning of the war.
Ukraine has increased its drone-production capacity and increasingly targeted Russia’s energy infrastructure, including oil refineries, causing disruption to Russia’s means of production, while the war has kept Russians at home.
Kiev is also launching attacks deep into Russian territory with greater frequency.
Russia looking for ‘alternative shipping routes’
Russia’s agriculture ministry said Tuesday it is considering re-routing grain shipments from the Sea of Azov amid Ukrainian attacks on shipping in the region.
“Alternative shipping routes are currently being worked out in cooperation with relevant agencies and the business community,” Russia’s agriculture ministry said in a statement. And stressed that exports will continue.
“The situation in the Sea of Azov will not affect the food supply of the domestic market or our country’s export capabilities,” the ministry said, adding, “Supply logistics will be redirected if necessary.”
Russian officials have not said whether the ban on traffic in the Sea of Azov was in effect.
Edited by: Zack Crellin
Don’t let algorithms hide news. If you rely on our team for reliable reporting, please take a moment to choose us as your Favorite source on Google, That’s why you’ll always see our verified news first.