Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) said its drone units targeted eight fuel tankers from Russia’s “shadow fleet” overnight as they transported fuel to Russian-occupied Crimea. The strikes were reported to have hit vessels operating on the Azov–Crimea fuel route, with the USF describing the tankers as already under international sanctions and with an estimated deadweight of about 7,000 tonnes each.

The reporting said the operation involved drones striking tankers in the Sea of Azov and was part of a broader push to disrupt Russian maritime logistics that support activities in Crimea. The USF also released footage it said showed the targeted ships being hit and erupting into flames. The strikes were described as coming after earlier Ukrainian actions against other “shadow fleet” vessels in the same area, signaling an intensified campaign focused on supply routes linked to Crimea.