Ukraine Halts Russian Shipping in the Sea of Azov

Ukrainian one-way attack drones forced Russia to suspend all Sea of Azov shipping for nearly a week in July 2026. On July 12 alone, drones struck 14 vessels—ten tankers and four ferries carrying fuel for Russian forces—bringing the year's total to 91 ships hit. The Azov, previously treated as a secure Russian logistics rear, now faces the same interdiction campaign Ukraine has waged against Crimean ferry links and Black Sea routes since mid-2025.