Zelenskyy: Ukrainian forces hit two Russian oil tankers in Novorossiysk
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's Defense Forces struck two Russian oil tankers in the waters of the port of Novorossiysk, which were used to transport oil.
According to him, the vessels belonged to Russia’s so-called "shadow fleet" and were actively used for oil transportation.
"Our soldiers continue to apply sanctions against Russia’s shadow oil fleet — two such vessels were hit in the waters at the entrance to the port of Novorossiysk," the president said.
He thanked the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andrii Hnatov, the counterintelligence unit of the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Naval Forces of Ukraine for carrying out the operation.
"Ukraine's long-range capability will continue to be comprehensively developed — at sea, in the air, and on land. Glory to Ukraine," Zelenskyy concluded.
Strikes on Novorossiysk
As a reminder, on the night of April 5, drones attacked Novorossiysk — videos of a fire at the Sheskharis oil terminal appeared online. Explosions were also reported at a Transneft facility used to service large tankers.
According to media reports, Russia's average monthly oil exports fell to their lowest level in eight months, with disruptions at the Sheskharis terminal cited as one of the reasons.
As noted by Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk, Novorossiysk is a key Russian oil export port that directly affects the financing of the war.
He added that strikes on such infrastructure are aimed at reducing Russia's ability to fund its aggression against Ukraine.
