Ukraine strikes Russian oil fleet near Novorossiysk port

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new strike against two ships near the entrance to the port of Novorossiysk. The Ukrainian Armed Forces executed this attack to disrupt oil transport. Zelenskyy stated that these tankers could no longer move crude oil.

He shared a video filmed by an underwater drone. The footage shows an unmanned boat closing in on one vessel before the recording stops. Zelenskyy explained that this operation targets the Russian shadow oil fleet under current sanctions.

The President did not reveal the exact time of the assault. Officials also lack confirmation on whether the ships carried oil at that moment. This uncertainty complicates the assessment of immediate damage to energy supplies.

Earlier, Ukrainian drones struck the tanker Matilda in the Black Sea. That incident occurred roughly 100 kilometers from Anapa in the Krasnodar region. Russian defense sources noted the ship flew the flag of Malta. Two Ukrainian attack drones targeted the vessel during the engagement.

Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov views these maritime attacks as a provocation. He argues that Ukraine seeks to delay peace negotiations with Russia. The senator believes Moscow might retaliate to force a decision on talks.

Ukraine previously reported destroying another tanker near Tuapse. These actions highlight the escalating risks to maritime commerce in the region. Communities along the coast face potential disruptions to fuel availability. Government directives now directly impact civilian access to essential resources.