Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv attacks Russian ships near Crimea as Putin’s fuel crisis deepens
Ukraine attacked a dozen more of Russian tankers in the Sea of Azov, Ukraine’s military said on Thursday as it ramped up efforts to disrupt fuel supplies to Russian forces and isolating Moscow-occupied Crimea.
The vessels were used to supply fuel to the Russian military and to transport oil and petroleum products in circumvention of international sanctions, the military’s General Staff said.
In the first four days of the week, Ukraine hit at least 36 of Russia’s ships and set them on fire in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, Ukraine’s defence ministry said.
These included 32 so-called Russian “shadow fleet” tankers and two dry cargo ships. “They were all trying to deliver fuel to Crimea,” the ministry said.
In response to growing attacks from Ukraine, Putin has said he will press ahead with his war despite mounting difficulties like fuel shortages linked to Ukrainian drone strikes on oil industry targets.
Kyiv’s long-range persistent drone attacks have sparked a massive fuel shortage across Russia, leading to widespread reports of escalating prices and lengthy queues at petrol stations throughout numerous regions.
