Ukraine Attacks Shadow Fleet: How Drones Hit Russian Tankers from 2000 km Away.

According to ТСН: Ukraine has officially confirmed successful attacks on oil tankers that Russia is using to bypass international sanctions.

Ukrainian drone strikes have hit four vessels of the 'shadow fleet' in the waters of the Black and Mediterranean Seas.

Geography of Attacks

Three tankers were attacked by sea drones in the Black Sea, and another one was hit by aerial drones in the Mediterranean Sea, over 2000 km from Ukraine's borders. Additionally, in the last ten days, four hits have been recorded on Russian oil platforms in the Caspian Sea.

Key Targets of Ukraine's New Strategy

• The strikes aim to increase logistics costs, raise insurance premiums, and create financial obstacles for Russian oil exports;

• Since oil is a major source of income for the Kremlin to finance the war, Ukraine is trying to limit this resource as much as possible;

• The attacks are a call for Western partners to intensify sanctions on the 'shadow fleet,' which consists of hundreds of old ships under foreign flags;

'Earlier, Kyiv avoided strikes on oil infrastructure due to risks to global prices, but the current change in tactics indicates an intention to undermine the economic foundation of Russian aggression. The combination of attacks on tankers, refineries, and platforms gradually narrows Moscow's ability to finance military actions,' the publication writes.

Let us recall that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have struck the facilities of the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Russia's Yaroslavl region.

And on the night of December 12, drones attacked a refinery in the Russian city of Yaroslavl, which is located over 700 kilometers from the state border with Ukraine.

These attacks have become part of Ukraine's new strategy aimed at increasing pressure on the Russian economy. Through such actions, Ukrainian forces are trying to reduce Kremlin funding for aggression, which, in turn, could have long-term consequences for Russia's ability to continue military operations. The situation remains tense, so it is important to monitor developments in the region.