Ukraine has intensified its maritime campaign against Russia, claiming to have targeted more than 200 vessels linked to the Kremlin’s so-called “shadow fleet” over the past three weeks as it seeks to disrupt Russian shipping in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.
According to reports, the operation, known as Operation MoLoCHKa, began on July 6 and has focused on vessels transporting oil, grain and other cargo that generate revenue for Russia’s war effort. Recent footage reportedly shows multiple vessels being hit during the campaign, with one sustaining damage, another catching fire, two abandoned and a fifth being towed away after an attack.
Among the vessels reportedly struck was the Belize-flagged bulk carrier New Victory, formerly known as Argyroula, which was damaged by a Ukrainian drone near the Russian port of Taman. The campaign has also targeted tankers, bulk carriers, ferries, gas carriers, tugboats and floating cranes operating in waters linking mainland Russia with occupied Crimea.
The Kerch Strait, which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, remains a strategically important route for Russian military logistics and commercial shipping. Reports say repeated drone attacks have forced Russia to temporarily suspend civilian shipping through the strait on several occasions. Ukraine says disrupting maritime traffic through the area is intended to isolate occupied Crimea and reduce Russia’s ability to finance its military operations.
The campaign comes days after Ukraine reportedly struck an Iranian cargo vessel in the Caspian Sea. Ukrainian officials alleged the ship was transporting drone and missile components from Iran to Russia rather than civilian cargo.
Iran condemned the strike, saying one sailor was killed and another injured. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the attack as “a blatant UN Charter violation done at Israel’s behest to drag Europe into its war.”
He added that the incident “CANNOT GO UNANSWERED.” Russia also criticised the attack, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accusing Ukraine of expanding what Moscow described as its “terrorist attacks” and suggesting the strike should be regarded as an attack on Iran.
