Unmanned Systems Forces Struck 20 Vessels of Russian Shadow Fleet in the Black Sea

Overnight on July 15, 2026, the Unmanned Systems Forces struck 20 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet in the Black Sea.

Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of the USF of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported this.

Overnight, as part of a new phase of Operation “MoLoChKa,” drones struck 17 oil tankers, two gas tankers, and one tugboat.

During the previous phase of the campaign in the Sea of Azov, Ukrainian forces struck 116 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet.

On July 12, it was reported that Russia had reduced the number of tankers in the Sea of Azov due to active strikes by Ukrainian drones.

As a result, most of the ships sailed into the Black Sea—approximately 50 km from their previous location—while some were sent to repair and storage facilities.

Further evidence of the sharp deterioration in the situation is that the FSB Border Service notified shipping companies that it would stop accepting applications to pass through the Kerch Strait, which connects the Azov and Black Seas, starting at 6:10 p.m. local time on July 10, 2026.

Ukraine is conducting an operation to detect and neutralize Russian tankers engaged in the illegal supply of oil and fuel in the Black and Azov Seas.

In addition, the operation aims to further isolate the temporarily occupied Crimea, which the Russians are using as a staging ground for deploying air defense systems, missile complexes, naval forces, and aircraft that are striking Ukrainian territory.

Fuel shortages have prompted Russia to begin purchasing fuel from India to circumvent sanctions and resolve these issues.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine documented the implementation of one such scheme through the Indian company Nayara Energy, in which Rosneft, a Russian state-owned company, owns 49.13% of the shares.

To carry out this plan, the Russians transferred the fuel on the high seas to ensure their own safety and successfully transport it to Russia.