politics
Ukraine Drone Strikes on Russian Vessels Prompt Temporary Halt to Shipping in Sea of Azov
Ukrainian forces struck 28 vessels overnight July 10-11, including 21 tankers. Russia responded by halting shipping through the Kerch Strait and Don-Azov Canal. The total reached 76 vessels hit from July 6 to 11.
Jul 11, 5:30 PM·1m read1 source
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Ukraine conducted drone strikes on Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight July 10-11, 2026, hitting 28 shadow fleet vessels, Hot Air reported. The strikes brought the cumulative total to 76 vessels over six days from July 6 to July 11. Overnight on July 11, Ukrainian forces hit 21 tankers, 4 tugs, 2 cargo vessels, and 1 special-purpose vessel, with 73 successful hits recorded.
Russia temporarily halted shipping through the Don-Azov Canal and the Kerch Strait following the attacks. Russia's border guards notified shipping companies that requests for passage through the Kerch Strait would not be accepted from 6:10 p.m. local time on July 10.
The notification did not specify when the halt would be lifted. A separate attack on July 10 struck 13 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov, including 10 tankers. Up to one-quarter of Russia's wheat exports pass through the Sea of Azov, according to market analysts cited in the report.
Russia uses the Azov-Don Canal for military logistics, cargo transportation, port infrastructure maintenance, and transporting oil and petroleum products. Between July 1 and July 10, Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces struck 60 energy hubs in Crimea and the southern part of the TOT. The Kerch Strait area includes Russia's second-largest port in the Black Sea basin.
