Ukraine Strikes 147 Russian Ships in Black Sea Campaign

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces executed Operation MoLoChKa, striking 147 Russian-linked vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov between July 6 and July 16, 2026. The campaign targets the Russian shadow fleet to disrupt military logistics and the transport of crude oil in violation of G7 and EU embargoes.

On July 16, the SBU and Ukrainian Navy used Mamai maritime drones to attack two tankers, the Louise 1 and Banda, in the Black Sea. Russian aircraft failed to intercept the drones using machine guns and bombs. The Louise 1 had reportedly transported nearly 3 million tonnes of Urals crude in 2026 by disabling its automatic identification system, while the Banda operated from various Russian ports.

Commander Robert Brovdi stated the objective is to paralyze oil and cargo logistics used to circumvent sanctions without causing oil spills through hull breaches. The SBU characterized the strikes as a systematic effort to deprive the Kremlin of funds used to finance military aggression. In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the strikes terrorism, and International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez condemned attacks on merchant shipping.