35 Russian Ships Damaged or Destroyed In 4 Days By Ukrainian Sea, Air Drones

The sheer number of Russian ships damaged over the past four days by Ukrainian aerial and sea drones is significant in itself. 

But that many of those were sailing in the 'internal waters' of Russia's Sea of Azov and that many of them were carrying oil or supplies for Crimea, reveals the degree to which that embattled peninsula has become less a military asset and more a logistical sinkhole for the Kremlin. JL

Defense Express reports:

Over the past 96 hours, Russia has lost an entire fleet of tankers, most of which were struck in the Sea of Azov—waters the Russian military considers "internal." Two tankers were struck on July 6; eight tankers, one dry cargo vessel, and one ferry were struck on July 7; five tankers and four dry cargo vessels were struck on July 8; and 12 tankers, one dry cargo vessel, and one tugboat were struck on July 9. A total of 35 vessels were hit. Although no ships were reported sunk, those that caught fire will be difficult to repair and are considered effectively destroyed. Due to destruction of the bridge and damage to onboard equipment, the damaged ships will  be forced to undergo costly, long-term repairs. As Russia's ship repair capacity is insufficient to accommodate all the damaged tankers and dry cargo vessels at the same time, their return to service could take years. 

​Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) continue their operation against russia's shadow fleet. Over the past 96 hours, russia has lost an entire fleet of tankers, most of which were struck in the Sea of Azov—waters the russian military considers "internal." So, how many ships have been hit so far?

The commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, Major Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, reported that russian shadow fleet vessels were struck during the night of July 8–9 in the Sea of Azov—waters that russia considers internal and believes should be under its full control.

On the night of July 9, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck 12 tankers, one dry cargo vessel, and one tugboat with drones, marking the operation's most successful night since its launch on July 6. 

Specifically, two tankers were struck on July 6; eight tankers, one dry cargo vessel, and one ferry were struck on July 7; five tankers and four dry cargo vessels were struck on July 8; and 12 tankers, one dry cargo vessel, and one tugboat were struck on July 9. 

A total of 35 vessels were struck, including 27 tankers, six dry cargo ships, one ferry, and one tugboat. Some of these were repeat strikes, so counting only unique targets, 33 vessels were struck over the past 96 hours: 25 tankers, six dry cargo vessels, one ferry, and one tugboat. 

It should be noted that other branches of Ukraine's Defense Forces are also targeting russia's shadow fleet. For example, on July 7, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) used a Sea Baby unmanned surface vessel (USV) to strike a russian tanker in the Black Sea, bringing the total number of unique vessels struck to 34. 

Published footage of the strikes shows that Ukrainian drones first target the ship's deckhouse to immobilize the vessel and prevent it from taking further action. A second drone then strikes the deck, where the fuel tanks are located, in an apparent attempt to ignite a fire and disable the vessel's equipment. 

Although no ships were reported to have sunk, those that caught fire are unlikely to be repaired and can therefore be considered effectively destroyed. The ships that were merely damaged will likely be unable to serve their intended purpose due to the destruction of the bridge and damage to onboard equipment.

Therefore, they will obviously be forced to undergo long-term and costly repairs. russia's ship repair capacity is insufficient to accommodate all the damaged tankers and dry cargo vessels at the same time. As a result, restoring all of the damaged vessels to service is likely to take years.