Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russian maritime supply routes near annexed Crimea, targeting fuel shipments in the Sea of Azov. Over the past four days, Ukrainian drone forces claim to have hit and set fire to at least 25 ships, primarily commercial oil tankers belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet."

These strikes represent a significant escalation in Ukraine's efforts to disrupt Russian logistics and choke off supplies to and from occupied Crimea. The attacks follow previous strikes on Russia's land corridor to the peninsula, now extending to its vital maritime transport links.

Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's drone force, known as Magyar, stated that the strikes occurred daily between July 6 and July 9. While the exact number of ships hit remains unconfirmed by independent sources, some vessels may have been struck multiple times. The governor of Russia's Rostov region confirmed two empty tankers were attacked in Taganrog Bay on Wednesday and were still burning on Thursday.

The attacks are seen as a direct blow to Russia's naval capabilities and its ability to guarantee fuel supplies. Brovdi indicated that two tankers attacked earlier in the week were carrying approximately 7,000 tons of fuel each from the Taganrog area to Crimea.

Video footage shared on social media early Tuesday showed night-time strikes. Analysis of satellite imagery by BBC Verify indicated a large plume of smoke rising from a ship off the Crimean coast, suggesting a fire had been ongoing since July 6. Around 20 other vessels were observed leaving the area and heading towards the Black Sea.

Among the tankers reportedly hit are Venera-3, Sanar-1, Sanar-17, Klimena, Thetis, Alexey Savrasov, and Penelopa. A passenger ferry, SKS One, and a bulk carrier were also targeted in Kerch port, with images of these incidents also appearing on social media.

Tankers are frequently seen in the Sea of Azov near Kerch port due to an onshore oil loading facility. Kerch port itself was attacked by Ukraine last month, leading to a noticeable reduction in the number of tankers in the vicinity in the days that followed, according to BBC Verify's analysis of satellite imagery.

Even departing the Sea of Azov does not guarantee safety from Ukrainian drone strikes. Ukraine's general staff released footage on Wednesday depicting a naval drone attack on a sanctioned tanker, demonstrating the continued threat to Russian maritime assets.