Operation “MoLoChka” is gaining momentum: Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have struck 12 more vessels of Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea
17 July 10:51
Units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces are continuing a large-scale maritime operation against the Russian “shadow fleet.” On July 17 alone, the Ukrainian military struck 12 more vessels in the Black Sea. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing a statement by Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces.
According to Robert Brovdi (“Madyar”), commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, over the past 24 hours Ukrainian drones struck:
- 9 dry cargo ships;
- 1 oil tanker;
- 1 gas tanker;
- 1 tugboat.
All of these vessels belong to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which the Kremlin uses to transport oil, fuel, and other cargoes in circumvention of international sanctions.
Operation “MoLoChKa”: 159 vessels targeted so far
The “MoLoChKa” naval operation has been underway since July 6. Robert Brovdy explains that the name stands for “Moscow Will Fall Through Crimea.”
Based on the results of the first 12 days of the campaign, the Ukrainian military reports that 159 vessels have already been struck, including:
- 117 vessels in the Sea of Azov;
- 42 vessels in the Black Sea.
This is one of the most massive blows to Russia’s maritime logistics since the start of the full-scale war.
The SBS commander emphasized that the main objective of the operation is not to sink the vessels, but to disable them.
According to him, the Ukrainian military aims to:
- stop oil shipments;
- disrupt fuel supplies;
- make it more difficult to circumvent international sanctions;
- deprive Russia of one of its sources of war funding.
“Madyar” noted that tactics are being employed to minimize risks to the environment.
“Each self-propelled vessel is being turned into a barge drifting at sea, blind and deaf; the goal is not to pollute the water with oil slicks, so there will be no holes,” explained the SBS commander.
The series of strikes has been ongoing for several days in a row
The SBS operation against Russian maritime logistics continues uninterrupted.
Specifically:
- On July 13, Ukrainian drones struck 15 Russian vessels and nine energy facilities in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
- On July 15, the SBS launched its first large-scale strike against “shadow fleet” vessels in the Black Sea, reporting that 20 vessels had been hit, including 17 oil tankers, two gas tankers, and a tugboat.
- On July 16, the Defense Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) also reported strikes on six tankers and transportation infrastructure near Chongar and Primorsk.
Why the “shadow fleet” is important to Russia
Since the imposition of international sanctions, Russia has been actively using its so-called “shadow fleet”—vessels with complex ownership structures, frequent changes of flags, and shifting insurance companies.
It is these ships that facilitate:
the export of Russian oil;
the transportation of petroleum products;
fuel supplies;
the delivery of certain military cargo.
According to estimates by the Ukrainian military, striking such vessels would significantly hamper Russia’s logistical capabilities and reduce its revenue from energy exports.
