Ukrainian forces hit 12 Russian tankers, tugboat, cargo ship and oil terminal
Ukraine's General Staff has reported that the defence forces hit 12 Russian tankers, a tugboat and a cargo ship in the Sea of Azov on the night of 8-9 July. Ukrainian forces also struck the Yug Rusi oil terminal and a Russian ammunition depot.
Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook
Quote: "Units of Ukraine's defence forces struck a number of important enemy military and military-economic targets on the night of 8-9 July as part of efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor.
Twelve tankers, one tugboat and one cargo ship belonging to the Russian Federation were hit in the Sea of Azov."
Details: The General Staff added that information is still being gathered on the extent of the damage and the results of the strikes.
It said the Russian vessels hit were used, among other things, to supply fuel and lubricants to Russian military groupings and to transport oil and petroleum products in circumvention of international sanctions.
The vessels facilitate energy exports, a key source of funding for the war against Ukraine.
A strike was also carried out on the Yug Rusi oil terminal at Bataisk in Russia's Rostov Oblast. A fire was reported in the vicinity.
The scale of the damage and the consequences of the strike are still being assessed.
The oil terminal handles the transshipment of petroleum products for export and is used to supply fuel and lubricants to Russian forces on the southern front.
A Russian ammunition depot near Sorokyne in Luhansk Oblast was also struck.
Background:
- Drone operators from Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck eight Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Sea of Azov on the night of 6-7 July.
- On 8 July, Rostov Oblast Governor Yuri Slyusar said two tankers bound for Rostov-on-Don had been damaged in a drone attack in Taganrog Bay.
- On 9 July, Slyusar said two tankers had been damaged in the Taganrog Bay in the second drone attack within a matter of days.
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