19 Russian Fuel Tankers Destroyed in Two Days: How Ukrainian Drones Are Crippling Moscow’s Crimean Logistics.

How Ukrainian Drones Are Disrupting Russian Fuel Supply Lines

According to Espreso.tv: According to Andriy Ryzhenko, a retired captain 1st rank of the Ukrainian Navy, Ukraine’s Security and Defense Forces began systematically targeting Russian logistics about a month ago. He notes that roughly 60-70% of all cargo destined for Crimea travels through routes crossing the Azov Sea region. This has opened up opportunities for Ukraine’s Middle Strike drones, which have an operational range of 200-300 km, to strike Russian tankers along these critical supply corridors.

Supply Chain Under Severe Strain

Ryzhenko explains that drone strikes are severely complicating fuel delivery. A single tanker can carry up to 7,000 tons of fuel and lubricants, while Crimea’s daily consumption stands at around 5,000 tons. With 19 tankers neutralized in just two days, the entire new supply route could be completely disrupted.

“The elimination of 19 tankers in two days could completely break the new supply route,” said Andriy Ryzhenko.

The captain also highlighted that tankers present highly radio-contrast targets, and Ukrainian reconnaissance assets are well equipped to track them. “This allows us to strike along the entire length of this route from territories under our control,” he added. On the night of July 8, drones also struck the Russian cities of Saratov and Borisoglebsk, demonstrating the expanding operational reach of Ukrainian forces.

These drone operations are not only hampering Russian fuel logistics but are also reshaping the broader battlefield dynamics in the region. As pressure on supply lines mounts, Ukraine is proving its ability to leverage cutting-edge technology—potentially altering the enemy’s strategy and the overall course of the conflict. These developments underscore the growing role of drones in modern warfare and their power to shift the regional balance.