48 Ships in 120 Hours: Ukraine’s Campaign to Cut Off Crimea (+28 more on July 11: A Total of 76)

In this episode, we analyze the massive escalation in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov as Ukraine launches a systematic drone campaign against Russian maritime logistics. Between July 6th and July 10th, 2026, a staggering 48 vessels were targeted, marking a strategic shift in the conflict toward a "starvation" strategy against Russian forces in Crimea. Key Highlights: ⚓Systematic Destruction: A breakdown of the 120-hour surge that saw 48 vessels hit, including 32 tankers, cargo ships, ferries, and tugboats. ⚓The "Mission Kill" Strategy: Analysis of why Ukrainian drones are targeting bridge structures and engine rooms to disable vessels rather than sinking them. ⚓Targeting the Lifeblood: How these strikes on the Sea of Azov directly impact the Don and Volga River systems—the essential "food, fuel, and fertilizer" corridors for the Russian economy. ⚓Logistical Siege of Crimea: Exploring the strategic goal of cutting off fuel supplies to Crimea as overland routes and the Kerch Strait Bridge remain under constant threat. ⚓The "Dark Fleet" Definition: Clarifying how Ukraine is identifying sanctioned Russian trade vessels and why even international-flagged tankers are being caught in the crossfire. Contact What's Going on With Shipping via: Patreon: www.patreon.com/wgowshipping Twitter: @mercoglianos Bluesky: @mercoglianos.bsky.social Facebook: @wgowshipping Email: mercoglianosal@gmail.com 0:00 Introduction 0:50 Historical Context: Russian Naval Setbacks Since 2022 1:49 Ukrainian Drone Campaign Overview (July 6–10, 2026) 3:04 Defining the "Shadow Fleet" in the Black Sea 4:11 The Russian Inland Waterway System: A Strategic Vulnerability 6:11 Geography of the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait 7:03 Vessel Profile: The "Volgo-Don" Class Tankers 8:08 Analysis of Strike Tactics: Target Selection and "Mission Kills" 9:16 Mass Drone Attacks: Targeting Anchorages in the Sea of Azov 13:17 The Strategic Goal: Logistical Siege of Crimea 15:55 Russian Response and Lack of Naval Escorts 18:43 Evidence of Damage: Assessing Individual Vessel Strikes 19:53 Expansion to the Black Sea: Impacts on International Tankers 22:01 Conclusion: The Starvation Strategy and Future Risks Marine Traffic www.marinetraffic.com Ukraine Raises Tanker Tally to 35 Struck in 96 Hours https://maritime-executive.com/articl... Ukraine Continues Strikes on Russian Tankers as Shortages Worsen https://gcaptain.com/ukraine-continue... SBU Sea Baby naval drone hit Russian "Blue shadow fleet" tanker in the Black Sea (video) https://ssu.gov.ua/novyny/morskyi-dro... Unmanned System Forces https://x.com/usf_army