Ukraine said it struck tankers and cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov, in the latest strikes on Russian commercial shipping. Moscow’s Agriculture Ministry said “alternative shipping routes” are being sought.
Ukraine said on Tuesday that another 11 Russian vessels were targeted in overnight strikes on the Sea of Azov.
Kyiv’s drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, known by his callsign “Magyar,” said in a statement on Telegram that the targets included five tankers, five cargo vessels and one tugboat.
He said the aim was to damage Russia’s “shadow fleet” and to limit Russia’s fuel supplies to Kremlin-controlled Crimea.
The Reuters news agency reported that shipping in the area remained restricted on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.
Ukraine says more than 116 Russia vessels hit in Sea of Azov
Ukraine claims that forces have struck 116 vessels over the past nine days in the Sea of Azov in operations targeting Russian shipping.
On Saturday, Ukraine said 21 Russian oil tankers were struck in the Sea of Azov in one of the largest Ukrainian drones strikes on Russian shipping since the start of the war.
Ukraine has ramped up its drone-producing capability and has increasingly targeted Russia’s energy infrastructure, including oil refineries, causing disruption to Russia’s production means while bringing the war home to Russians.
Kyiv is also launching strikes deeper into Russian territory with more frequency.
Russia looking for ‘alternative shipping routes’
Russia’s Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday said it was looking to reroute grain shipments from the Sea of Azov amid Ukrainian strikes on shipping in the region.
“Alternative shipping routes are currently being worked out in collaboration with relevant agencies and the business community,” Russia’s agriculture ministry said in a statement and insisted that exports would continue.
Source : https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-drone-attacks-azov-sea-ships-russia/a-77949717
