Ukraine's drone forces reveal results of 10 weeks of strikes on Russia's shadow fleet
Photo: Russian shadow fleet tanker (Getty Images)
The Ukrainian Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems Forces' MoLoCHKa operation against Russia's shadow fleet has been underway for 10 weeks. During this time, Ukrainian forces have struck hundreds of vessels in the Black and Azov seas, according to Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi.
According to Brovdi, the MoLoCHKa operation targets shadow fleet vessels, including oil tankers carrying Russian oil.
Over 10 weeks of operations, Ukrainian forces have "hunted down" 285 shadow fleet vessels in the Azov and Black Seas.
Most of these targets were hit in July.
Results by period:
- July 2026 - 206+9 vessels;
- August 2026 - 54 vessels;
- September 1-11, 2026 - 16 vessels.
The SBS commander also posted a video he called "marine cyberpunk." It shows an unmanned helicopter escorting a sanctioned shadow fleet oil tanker.
Russia's shadow fleet hit hard: Unmanned Systems Forces Commander Robert Brovdi (call sign Madyar) sums up 10 weeks of operations pic.twitter.com/waMdg1Gu95
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) September 12, 2026
Madyar emphasized that shadow fleet vessels carrying Russian oil to the Bosphorus generate revenue for Russia that can be used to finance the war.
We remind you that earlier, the Unmanned Systems Forces carried out the Crimean Switch Off operation, during which they struck 374 energy facilities in Crimea and other occupied territories between July 6 and September 9.
The targets included thermal power plants, electrical substations, railway traction substations, and gas distribution stations.
