Ukrainian commandant says flying drones have impaired 300 tankers in Russia's shade fleet

A top Ukrainian drone commandant stated on Tuesday that his forces have used uncrewed airborne vehicles to tap out 300 ships in Russia's "shadow fleet" complete 11 weeks.

Maj. Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, commandant of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, stated as drone crews reached this count following they attacked and "burned" 21 tankers complete the final three days.

The strikes have been part of a Ukrainian run from first July targeting the hundreds-strong fleet of merchant tankers assessed to be carrying sanctioned Russian gas and oil.

While many of these vessels admission Russia from the Baltic, the Ukrainian attempt has focused on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The run has been dubbed Operation MoLoChKa, or an acronym that translates into "Moscow volition autumn through Crimea."

Brovdi stated on his Telegram conduit that the uncrewed Systems Forces had impaired 166 ships in the Black Sea and another 134 in the Sea of Azov.

"The Sea of Azov, alongside alongside the Kerch Strait, is closed and volition remain so. In the northern and northeastern Black Sea, it is 'maybe we'll stumble through' mode," his declaration said.

He's been among the top commanders to victor a scheme of using mid- and long-range drones to enact a siege of sorts on Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.

The area is a key logistical hub for Russia's forces on the southernmost front, and Ukrainian commanders akin Brovdi have likened it to a lynchpin of the war as a whole. The former few months have seen them hammering roads, bridges, energy facilities, and transport vessels in a bid to choke the peninsula alongside asset shortages.

Notably, Operation MoLoChKa has relied on airborne drones, as counter-jamming, synthetic intelligence, and escape innovation have progressed to the item anywhere Ukraine can use them to additional consistently hit Russia's rear.

Previously, Kyiv had relied on surface and underwater drones to battle Russia's navy, driving rear its Black Sea Fleet from Ukraine's coast.

Brovdi's declaration on Telegram included complete two dozen clips that appear to have been attempt from drones speeding overhead toward ample vessels on open water.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has embarked on a broader, long-range drone assault run aimed at Russia's oil and gas industries, expecting to sap the Kremlin's capability to pay for and provision its war effort.

On Tuesday, Ukraine's armed forces stated they had knocked out 45% of Russia's oil refining capacity.