Russian Oil Tankers Use Makeshift Armor Against Ukrainian Drones
Russian shadow-fleet oil tankers are installing netting and metal cages to protect vessels from Ukrainian drone strikes in the Black Sea.
The Federal Government of Russia is equipping its shadow-fleet oil tankers with makeshift armor to defend against intensifying Ukrainian drone strikes. Since August, at least 60 tankers transiting the Bosporus in Istanbul have been documented using netting, metal cages, and rubber tires to shield sensitive areas, including bridge windows, rudders, and engine components, from FPV drones.
These vessels, which are often under Western sanctions and insured by Russian state-backed banks, provide a critical economic lifeline for the Kremlin. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has targeted this fleet to increase financial pressure on Russia and disrupt its energy export system.
In September, the commander of Ukraine's drone forces claimed to have disabled 300 shadow-fleet vessels since July, though this figure remains unverified. The adoption of these countermeasures highlights a shift in the Black Sea theater, where drones have become primary weapons for both combatants.
