Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Shadow Fleet Vessels, Black Sea and Sea of Azov
Issued: 1 day, 13 hours ago
| Date | Reference | Region | Category | Aggressors | Source |
| 2026-07-20 00:01:00 | CWD Notification 025- (Jul 26) | Europe | OSINT | Military | Open source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open-sources have reported that Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) struck eleven vessels reportedly operating as part of Russia's shadow fleet on 19-20 July 2026 (exact times and positions not specified). The strikes comprised five cargo ships in the Black Sea, five oil tankers in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and one floating crane in the Black Sea. Ukrainian Forces have reported that since the commencement of Operation "MoLoCHKa" on 6 July 2026, one hundred and eighty-three vessels reportedly operating as part of Russia's shadow fleet have been struck. Of these, one hundred and nineteen vessels were struck in the Sea of Azov and sixty-four in the Black Sea. One reported outcome of the operation has been a significant reduction in the capacity of the Kerch ferry crossing. Reports state that the crossing has reportedly lost approximately seventy-five percent of its throughput capacity: three of the five ferries have been destroyed, whilst two additional ferries have lost self-propulsion and now operate only as barges moved by tugboats. | |||||