"The Naval Debacle Continues": Ukrainian Armed Forces Hit 12 Russian Ships In The Black Sea

• 17.07.2026, 10:00

"Magyar" stated that Russian tankers are turning into "blind and deaf barges."

The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ unmanned systems struck another 12 Russian vessels in the Black Sea on the night of Friday, July 17, according to UAV Forces commander Robert (“Madyar”) Brovdi, noting that “the fleet’s downfall continues.”

The SBS’s drones struck nine Russian dry cargo ships, a tanker, a gas tanker, and a tugboat. In just 12 days, from July 6 to July 17, a total of 159 Russian ships were struck: 117 in the Sea of Azov and 42 in the Black Sea.

“Madyar” explained that the goal of the SBS operation is to paralyze Russian logistics and maritime shipments of oil and other cargoes in circumvention of international sanctions.

“To turn every self-propelled vessel into a barge drifting at sea—blind and deaf. The goal is to avoid polluting the waters with oil slicks, so no holes will be punched in the hulls,” Madyar wrote on Telegram.

On July 16, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that eight Russian ships had been destroyed in the Black and Azov Seas.

Earlier, SBS Commander Robert “Madyar” announced an attack on more than 100 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov, after which Russia reduced the number of ships in the area by 55% and closed the passage through the Kerch Strait.