Ukraine hits more than 27% of Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov – Defense Express
A Russian tanker hit by unmanned systems burns near the Kerch Strait, July 8, 2026 (Photo: Copernicus / Defense Express)
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces have struck 35 of an estimated 120 Russian vessels operating in the Sea of Azov over four days, or about 27.5% of the fleet, according to an analysis by Defense Express published on July 10.
Overnight into July 9, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck another 14 Russian vessels, marking the largest number of ships hit in a single day since the launch of Ukraine's campaign against Russia's shadow fleet in the Sea of Azov on July 6.
Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery from July 7 shows that most of the roughly 120 vessels in the area are cargo ships, with the remainder consisting of oil tankers.
According to Defense Express, the number of Russian vessels struck by Ukraine's Defense Forces in recent days is of secondary importance. The publication said the key development is the expansion of Ukraine's deep-strike campaign from Russian-occupied territory into the Sea of Azov, a critical logistics route and an alternative supply corridor to Russian-occupied Crimea.
Defense Express noted that Russia has far fewer tankers and cargo vessels than fuel trucks and tanker trucks, while the open sea offers no cover, making it easier to disrupt maritime logistics than supply routes on land.
Following the first Ukrainian strikes in the Sea of Azov, Russian authorities accelerated inspections of vessels before they transit the Kerch Strait or, in some cases, suspended inspections altogether, according to satellite imagery.
On July 1, before the large-scale strikes began, dozens of ships were anchored on both sides of the Crimean Bridge awaiting clearance to pass. Recent imagery shows those queues have shrunk significantly, while vessel traffic through the strait has increased sharply, Defense Express reported.
On July 8, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces said it had struck nine Russian tankers in the Sea of Azov.
On July 9, Ukraine's General Staff reported strikes on 12 tankers, one cargo ship and one tugboat.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry said all of the tankers and vessels targeted by the Unmanned Systems Forces were attempting to deliver gasoline to Russian-occupied Crimea.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
