Over The Past Four Days, The Ukrainian Armed Forces Have Struck More Than 27% Of Russian Ships In The Sea Of Azov

• 10.07.2026, 12:01

Kyiv could completely paralyze traffic in this waterway.

There may be about 120 Russian vessels of various types in the Sea of Azov. Over the course of four days, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces struck 35 of them, or 27.5%, according to Defense Express on Friday, July 10.

On the night of July 9, Special Operations Forces struck another 14 Russian vessels, marking the highest number in a single day since the start of the operation to destroy the Russian Federation’s shadow fleet in the Sea of Azov on July 6.

SAR satellite imagery from July 7 shows that most of the 120 vessels in the area are dry cargo ships, while the rest are oil tankers.

The number of Russian ships struck by the Ukrainian Defense Forces in recent days is of secondary importance, writes Defense Express. According to analysts, the key development is the expansion of Ukraine’s “middle strike” campaign from the temporarily occupied territories toward the Sea of Azov, which serves as an important logistical route and an alternative supply channel for the annexed Crimea.

Defense Express explains that the number of Russian vessels—particularly tankers—is significantly smaller than the number of trucks and fuel tankers, and since there is no cover at sea, paralyzing traffic there will be even easier than on land.

Following the first attacks by the Special Forces Service (SBS) in the Sea of Azov, the occupiers have already expedited inspections of ships before they pass through the Kerch Strait or have canceled them altogether, according to satellite imagery.

On July 1, before the start of the massive strikes, dozens of ships were anchored on both sides of the Crimean Bridge, awaiting clearance. It is now evident that the number of ships at anchor has decreased significantly, while intense activity is being observed in the strait, notes Defense Express.