Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) have struck 159 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet in just 12 days, including 12 vessels hit overnight on July 17, according to USF Commander Robert ‘Madyar’ Brovdi. The campaign, dubbed Operation ‘Molochka’ (Dairy), targets Russian maritime logistics used to transport oil, fuel, and cargo in circumvention of international sanctions. Brovdi said the goal is ‘irreversible paralysis’ of Russia’s oil and cargo logistics without causing environmental disasters, so ships are disabled rather than sunk. The strikes hit 117 vessels in the Sea of Azov and 42 in the Black Sea. Ukraine defends the campaign as targeting war finance, while Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned it as ‘pure terrorism.’ Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba rejected Moscow’s claims, arguing the shadow fleet is a legitimate military target.
Article and image source: kyivpost.com
