The Unmanned Systems Forces have reported that five enemy vessels have been struck off the coast of Mariupol and Berdyansk (VIDEO)
On the night of 5 June, the Unmanned Systems Forces carried out an operation against the occupiers’ vessels in the ports of the temporarily occupied cities of Mariupol and Berdiansk, as well as in the coastal waters of the temporarily occupied territories.
The UAS stated that units of the 1st Separate Centre struck dry cargo ships and tankers which, according to their information, were being used to export Ukrainian grain and transport fuel and military cargo. It is also noted that the ships’ names had been painted over and their radar systems switched off.
According to Robert Brovdi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, call sign ‘Madyar’, five vessels were struck overnight in the ports of Mariupol and Berdiansk, as well as in the coastal waters of the temporarily occupied territories.
The UAS Command emphasised that Mariupol’s port infrastructure, which the occupiers are using as a military logistics hub, is under the fire control of Ukrainian unmanned aerial systems. The report states that drones equipped with optical surveillance systems and high-powered munitions were used to strike the targets.
Against this backdrop, Russian media reported a drone attack in the Taganrog Gulf of the Sea of Azov. According to their reports, a tanker and two dry cargo ships were hit at around 05:00 local time.
According to an assessment by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, Russia’s so-called shadow fleet comprises over a thousand vessels, most of which are obsolete. The intelligence agency notes that these vessels are often operated without proper insurance or maintenance, and their ownership structures are registered in jurisdictions friendly to Russia.
In December 2024, the War&Sanctions portal published a dossier on 238 vessels classified as part of this segment of the fleet.
