Ukrainian drone forces have claimed responsibility for striking 11 Russian oil tankers in the Sea of Azov overnight, according to Kyiv's drone forces commander.
The attacks target a critical corridor for Russian energy exports, intensifying the ongoing campaign against Moscow's maritime logistics infrastructure.
The Kremlin has dismissed the reports, maintaining that repeated Ukrainian strikes on the route will not disrupt Russia's export capabilities.
The incident underscores the persistent vulnerability of Russian shipping assets in the Black Sea region.
Previous drone strikes have targeted oil refineries in southern Russia and the port of Taganrog, prompting emergency evacuations and highlighting the strategic importance of the Sea of Azov for Russian energy flows.
These operations aim to degrade Russia's ability to move crude and refined products to international markets, particularly through its shadow fleet network.