Ukrainian forces hit 12 tankers, tugboat, cargo ship and oil terminal belonging to Russia

Ukraine's General Staff has reported that the defence forces hit 12 tankers, a tugboat and a cargo ship belonging to Russia in the Sea of Azov on the night of 8-9 July. Ukrainian forces also struck the Yug Rusi oil terminal and an ammunition depot belonging to Russia.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Quote: "Ukrainian defence forces units struck a number of important military and military-economic targets belonging to the enemy on the night of 8-9 July as part of efforts to reduce the military-economic potential of the Russian aggressor.

Twelve tankers, one tugboat and one cargo ship belonging to the Russian Federation have been 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.

The Russian vessels hit were reportedly 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.

They facilitate the export of energy resources, a key source of funding for the war against Ukraine.

A strike was also carried out on the Yug Rusi oil terminal in Bataysk in Russia's Rostov Oblast. A fire was reported in the facility's area.

The scale of the damage and the consequences of the strike are still being assessed.

This facility 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 the settlement of Sorokyne of Luhansk Oblast was also struck.

Background:

• Drone operators from Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck eight tankers belonging to Russia's so-called shadow fleet in the Sea of Azov on the night of 6-7 July.
• On 8 July, Rostov Oblast Governor Yuri Slyusar said that two tankers bound for Rostov-on-Don had been damaged in a drone attack in Taganrog Bay.
• On 9 July, Slyusar said that two tankers have been damaged in the Taganrog Bay in a second drone attack within a matter of days.

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