---
title: "Blow to logistics: Ukrainian forces launch massive strike on Russia's 'shadow fleet' in the Black Sea"
description: "Ukrainian drones struck 13 vessels of Russia's \"shadow fleet\" in the Black Sea on the night of July 18. Over the 13 days of Operation \"MoLoChKa,\" 172 vessels have already been hit. The goal of the attacks is to paralyze oil and cargo logistics without causing environmental damage 🚢💥🇺🇦"
date: 2026-07-18T06:08:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/blow-to-logistics-ukrainian-forces-launch-massive-strike-on-russias-shadow-fleet-in-the-black-sea
tags: [ukraine, russia, shadow-fleet, black-sea, drones]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Blow to logistics: Ukrainian forces launch massive strike on Russia's 'shadow fleet' in the Black Sea

![Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker in the Black Sea, targeted by Ukrainian forces](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/18/udar-po-tenevomu-flotu-rf-v-chernom-more/udar-po-tenevomu-flotu-rf-v-chernom-more-1.webp)

On the night of July 18, Ukrainian unmanned systems forces carried out a large-scale operation against Russia's so-called "shadow fleet." The attack took place in the waters of the Black and Azov Seas, where vessels used to bypass international sanctions are concentrated. According to the command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems Forces, 13 Russian vessels were hit during the night strike.

### Scale of the night attack

According to information published by RBC-Ukraine, citing the Telegram channel of the Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, strikes were launched against a wide range of vessels. Among the damaged objects were:

- 8 cargo ships;

- 1 tanker;

- 1 gas tanker;

- 1 tugboat;

- 2 floating cranes.

The destruction of such a large number of vessels in a single night demonstrates the high effectiveness of coordinated drone operations against targets on the water.

### Strategy of Operation "MoLoChKa"

These events are part of the ongoing Operation "MoLoChKa," which has been underway for 13 days. During this period, Ukrainian drones have attacked a total of 172 Russian vessels. The strategy of the attacks is not aimed at destroying the vessels in the literal sense, but rather at disabling them and halting logistical chains.

Robert Brovdi commented on the tactical approach, stating that the goal of the operation remains unchanged: the complete halt of the logistics of oil, fuel, and cargo moving in violation of sanctions. The commander emphasized that every self-propelled vessel is turning into a "drifting barge, blind and deaf".

Special attention is paid to environmental safety. According to Brovdi, the task is not to create oil spills and pollute the water area. Therefore, drones deliver pinpoint strikes that disable the equipment without creating holes in the hulls of tankers.