Arloue 🔱 (@arloue.bsky.social)

Ukrainian drone strikes set Russian tankers ablaze in the Sea of Azov A Russian oil tanker was set ablaze overnight in the Sea of Azov after Ukraine launched drone attacks that damaged two Russian vessels, according to Rostov region governor Yuri Slyusar. In the early hours of July 9, Ukrainian defense forces targeted strategic sites in Russia’s Rostov region with aerial strikes, resulting in damage to two Russian tankers in the Sea of Azov. Governor Slyusar confirmed that the region faced a massive air assault, with two tankers in the Taganrog Bay singled out by Ukrainian drones. Both tankers sustained mechanical damage, forcing the evacuation of their crews. Fires erupted on both ships; authorities report that fire has been extinguished on one, while the other blaze reportedly continues. This marks the second Ukrainian strike on Russian tankers in Taganrog Bay within 24 hours. On the night of July 8, Ukrainian drones targeted two other tankers en route to Rostov-on-Don, also causing crew evacuations due to damage. Russia uses tankers in the Sea of Azov to transport fuel supplies to its troops in annexed Crimea and to the occupation administration. Ukrainian defense forces are working to cut both land and maritime supply routes in an effort to deprive Russian forces of fuel. The “land corridor” for fuel trucks from Russia to Crimea has effectively stalled, with supply convoys now deterred by the threat of Ukrainian drone attacks. Previously, Ukrainian security services carried out a drone attack on the Russian "shadow fleet" tanker Blue near Yalta. It was also reported that, in a previous overnight campaign, Ukrainian forces set fire to as many as nine Russian tankers in the Sea of Azov. https://www.uawire.org/ukrainian-drone-strikes-set-russian-tankers-ablaze-in-the-sea-of-azov?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky