Ukraine strikes Russian tankers near Novorossiysk port

ALBAWABA - Ukrainian forces struck two Russian shadow fleet vessels near the entrance to the port in the city of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea in Russia, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a clip on Sunday.

Zelensky wrote on his official X account, "Our warriors continue to apply sanctions against Russia’s shadow oil fleet – two such vessels were struck in the waters at the entrance to the port of Novorossiysk. These tankers had been actively used to transport oil – not anymore. I am grateful to Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov for leading the operation, to the counterintelligence officers of the Security Service of Ukraine, and to our Navy for consistently delivering effective results. Ukraine’s long-range capabilities will continue to be developed comprehensively – at sea, in the air, and on land. Glory to Ukraine!"

The attack is the latest in a series of strikes as Ukraine intensifies long-range attacks on Russia's energy sector, aiming to undermine a key source of funding for Moscow’s war effort.

The operation against the two tankers was led by the General Staff Chief Andrii Hnatov, with the participation of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Ukrainian Navy.

Russia and Ukraine have been launching hundreds of explosive-packed drones at each other on a near-daily basis throughout the four-year war.