BREAKING NEWS: SBU naval drone hits Russian “shadow fleet” tanker near Crimea

The impact was made on the stern of the vessel, as a result of which it suffered significant damage.

Today, July 8, in the Black Sea, off the coast of temporarily occupied Crimea, a Sea Baby naval drone of the Security Service of Ukraine hit the Blue tanker of the Russian “shadow fleet” , the SBU press service reported .

It is noted that a successful special operation was carried out – on the morning of July 8, the SBU Sea Baby naval drone hit the specified tanker, which is part of the Russian Federation’s “shadow fleet”.

It is reported that at the time of the strike, the vessel was near the temporarily occupied Yalta (Crimea), in the exclusive economic zone of Ukraine.

“Sea Baby struck the stern of the tanker, causing significant damage to the latter. Enemy aircraft tried to operate against the SBU naval drone, but to no avail,” the Ukrainian special service emphasizes.

It is noted that the tanker Blue is under sanctions by the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Ukraine for participating in the transportation of Russian oil in circumvention of international sanctions. It belongs to the Suezmax class – large sea tankers used to transport significant volumes of oil and petroleum products.

“The destruction of the “shadow fleet” ships is part of the SBU’s systematic work to reduce the economic potential of the aggressor state. It is with the help of such tankers that Russia circumvents international sanctions and receives billions in profits from oil exports, which it directs to finance the war against Ukraine,” the report says.Read also:

It also adds that, from the point of view of international law, as well as the laws and customs of war, such vessels are absolutely legitimate military targets. The SBU emphasizes that each successful strike on them reduces the Kremlin’s oil revenues, increases the cost of Russian military logistics, and weakens the financial basis of the Russian Federation.

Drone forces hit 19 fuel tankers over two days

As UNIAN reported, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ unmanned systems forces have hit 19 fuel tankers under international sanctions over the past two days. The commander of the SBS, Robert Brovdi (Magyar), clarified that these were vessels of the Russian “shadow fleet”.

In particular, the SBS worked on ships in the Kerch area, the tasks were performed by pilots of the “Kairos” battalion, which is part of the 414th separate brigade of unmanned systems “Birds of Madyar”, the 413th separate SBS regiment “Reid” and the 1st separate SBS center. According to Madyar, 53 military targets were hit in Crimea and other parts of the occupied south of Ukraine during the night.

(c)UNIAN 2026