Ukraine claims hits on 159 Russian vessels in twelve days

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces commander Robert Brovdi said his units struck 159 Russian shadow fleet vessels between 6 and 17 July, 117 in the Sea of Azov and 42 in the Black Sea, the Kyiv Post reported. Twelve were said to have been hit on 17 July alone, mostly dry cargo ships. The campaign targets small river-sea tankers that carry oil via the Volga-Don Canal and the Sea of Azov; Brovdi said the ships were not being sunk to avoid oil spills. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba described the fleet as a legitimate target. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the attacks "pure terrorism" on 14 July.

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