Ukrainian forces continue to target Russia's shadow fleet, which transports oil. They struck two such vessels in the waters leading to Novorossiysk port in the Black Sea. These ships were once used to transport oil, but they can no longer do so", Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today.
The Ukrainian President posted a video from a thermal imaging sensor on a suicide uncrewed surface vessel (USV), showing it approaching the stern of a cargo ship anchored at sea. The footage was then cut, seemingly as the suicide USV detonated beneath the target's stern. The specific damage remains unclear.
Video of a Ukrainian vessel approaching an oil tanker near Novorossiysk port in the Black Sea. Video: Telegram/ Volodymyr Zelensky
Ukrainian media reported the operation was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the navy, under the direction of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
"Ukraine's long-range operational capabilities will be fully developed across sea, air, and land", Zelensky stated, also thanking the servicemen involved in the operation.
Russian officials have not yet commented on the information.
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A Ukrainian suicide uncrewed surface vessel in a photo released in 10/2025. Photo: SBU |
A Ukrainian suicide uncrewed surface vessel in a photo released in 10/2025. Photo: SBU
Alexander Drozdenko, governor of Leningrad province, stated on the same day that Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) attacked Primorsk, Russia's second largest port on the Baltic Sea, causing a fire. He said over 60 UAVs were shot down overnight, the fire was extinguished, and no oil spill occurred.
Attacks by uncrewed surface vessels from Ukraine previously forced the Russian Black Sea Fleet to relocate warships from its homeport in the Crimean peninsula to Novorossiysk city, approximately 300 km to the east. Russia also built multiple layers of barriers using barges and floating buoys, and deployed patrol aircraft to protect its forces.
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Location of Russia's Novorossiysk port. Graphic: BBC |
Location of Russia's Novorossiysk port. Graphic: BBC
Ukraine has also repeatedly targeted Novorossiysk port with uncrewed surface and underwater vessels.
Thanh Tam (According to UNN, Kyiv Independent)
