Ukrainian Drones Strike Over 27% of Russian Vessels in the Sea of Azov Within 96 Hours, Forcing Closure of Kerch Strait Corridor

Ukrainian Drones Launch Massive Strike on Sea of Azov, Russia Urgently Closes Corridor

Ukrainian drones have again achieved a significant battlefield result. Drone strikes inflicted heavy damage on Russian vessels near Crimea in the Sea of Azov, forcing Russia to close the strait's shipping corridor.

According to The Guardian, 90 vessels in the area were struck within a single week. The Sea of Azov, located in the northern part of the Black Sea and bordered by both Russia and Ukraine, serves as a critical waterway connecting Russia to Eastern Europe. Ukrainian state media outlet United 24 Media reported that the number of Russian vessels hit over an eight-day period had reached 105.

As of Monday morning, the corridor remained closed, Reuters reported.

Ukrainian drone forces commander Robert Brovdi stated on social media that 10 tankers and 4 ferries were struck in a single night.

"The technological humiliation of the [Russian] empire continues. It will collapse because of Crimea," Brovdi added in a post quoted by The Guardian.

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk told The Guardian: "The Caspian Sea has no connection to the world's oceans — it has become an inland lake. All agricultural products, fertilizers, and other cargo must be exported through this waterway and its rivers."

Russia acknowledged through Reuters that one tanker was struck by a Ukrainian drone in the canal connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Rostov Oblast Governor Yury Slyusar stated on social media that the fire caused by the attack had been brought under control.

Reuters noted: "In recent months, Kyiv has intensified attacks on Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure with the aim of reducing Moscow's petroleum export revenues, which the Kremlin is using to fund its war against Ukraine."

According to analysis by Defense Express, Ukraine successfully struck more than 27.5% of all Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov within 96 hours.

"Using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery from July 7, we confirmed that 120 vessels of various types were present in the Sea of Azov on the day the imagery was captured. In other words, based on this rough estimate, Ukraine struck approximately 27.5% of the vessels estimated to be in the Sea of Azov at the time — all within 96 hours," Defense Express stated in its report.

Strategic Significance: Crimean Logistics Severely Disrupted

Ukrainian state media United 24 Media reported: "Brovdi stated that the maritime operation has expanded to logistics infrastructure within Russian-occupied Crimea. According to his statement, transit facilities on the peninsula are being struck every night, vessel traffic through the Kerch Strait has been suspended, and cargo unloading operations have been reduced to a minimum."

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) noted in its Monday daily "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment" that the recent attacks on vessels in the Sea of Azov have raised serious concerns on the Russian side, with 90 Russian tankers struck since July 6.

"Ukraine's successful long-range and medium-range strike operations continue to intensify Russian military bloggers' concerns about Russia's inadequate air defenses and the Kremlin's poor decision-making, which have left Russian territory and occupied areas exposed to Ukrainian strikes," the ISW report stated.

One Russian military blogger condemned Russia's "brazen negligence," arguing that "the Russian Navy cannot reliably protect Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov due to bureaucratic inertia, and that Russia cannot quickly rebuild damaged refineries or substations to offset the losses."

Senator Graham's 'End-War Equation'

Just hours before his death on Saturday, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) traveled to Ukraine. According to The New York Times, he announced during the visit that he had reached an agreement with the White House and a "bipartisan group of senators" to impose sanctions on countries that purchase Russian oil.

"I have never been more optimistic than I am today that we have found the equation to end this war," the senator said during his visit to Kyiv. "Help Ukraine be more lethal. Let those who are supporting Russia know that if you continue to do so, there will be a price to pay. And try to find an off-ramp — not to humiliate Putin, but to end this war and allow Ukraine to thrive and survive."

Since Senator Graham's passing, multiple analysts have noted that his death deprives Ukraine of one of its most steadfast advocates in Washington and one of the most influential pro-Ukraine voices within the U.S. president's inner circle.

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