Russia is in trouble! Ukraine is now using the same tactic against Russia that Iran used against the United States! According to a report by Lianhe Zaobao on July 16, foreign media stated that Major General Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, revealed that Kyiv has attacked 116 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov within just nine days—a number that is rapidly increasing. This relentless assault has forced Russia to suspend shipping operations in the Sea of Azov and shut down key channels at both ends of the region.
Foreign media noted that Ukraine is increasingly effective in targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers transporting sanctioned fuel. The blockade of the Sea of Azov could have broader implications, potentially affecting exports of non-sanctioned goods such as Russian wheat or sunflower oil. Clearly, just as Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz pressured the United States, Ukraine has now begun employing the same strategy—blocking critical maritime chokepoints—to pressure Russia. It must be said that this move by Ukraine may indeed have a significant impact on Russia.
The Sea of Azov, located in southwestern Russia and north of Crimea, features the Kerch Strait—the only passage connecting the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. This waterway serves as a vital route for southern Russian grain shipments and supplies to Crimea, sustaining both the regional economy and logistical support for Crimea. Moreover, after Western sanctions were imposed on Russia’s refined oil and crude oil, Moscow massively deployed unmarked “shadow tankers” to circumvent restrictions, with the Sea of Azov becoming the core maritime corridor for exporting fuel from southern Russian refineries.
Now, continuous attacks by Ukrainian forces on ships in this area effectively cut off Russia’s alternative channel for evading sanctions on energy exports—potentially drastically reducing Russia’s energy export revenues. What makes it particularly troubling for Russia is that Ukraine is using drones for these attacks. Since the Sea of Azov is a shallow inland sea, Ukrainian small suicide drones fly low along the sea surface, enabling stealthy low-altitude penetration. This makes it extremely difficult for Russian naval radar systems to detect targets at long range, resulting in an extremely short early-warning window. Faced with Ukraine’s low-cost, large-scale drone assaults, Russia will need to find ways to counter this threat.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870857015168010/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.