Russia has begun searching for alternative shipping routes following a series of Ukrainian strikes on more than 100 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov, complicating supplies to occupied Crimea.
In the past eight days, Ukrainian forces have targeted at least 105 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov as part of a campaign to isolate Moscow-occupied Crimea. According to the General Staff of Ukraine and Major Robert “Madar” Brovdi, commander of the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (USB), his units struck 10 vessels in a single night, including ferries and tankers transporting oil and petroleum products to bypass sanctions.
“The transshipment infrastructure of the peninsula is under attack every night, traffic through the strait has stopped, and cargo unloading has been reduced to a minimum,” Brovdi wrote on Telegram on Monday, referring to the Kerch Strait and the logistical infrastructure of occupied Crimea.
New phase of the campaign to isolate Crimea
The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Ukrainian forces intensified strikes on vessels in the Sea of Azov last Monday to prevent Russia from adapting to attacks on ground logistics routes between the Russian Federation and occupied Crimea, which have already led to a significant gasoline shortage.
“Ukrainian strikes on Russian maritime gasoline shipments over the past week represent a new phase in Ukraine’s efforts to isolate occupied Crimea from Russia’s logistical network and disrupt Russian maritime routes, particularly for the transportation of petroleum products and grain,” the ISW stated.
The Sea of Azov lies between Russia, the occupied southern regions of Ukraine, and annexed Crimea. It serves as a crucial supply route for the occupied peninsula and is also utilized by Russia to export agricultural products, including grain taken from occupied Ukrainian territories.
Reaction from the Kremlin and Russian military bloggers
The successful Ukrainian strikes of medium and long range have raised concerns among Kremlin-linked media. Russian military bloggers are increasingly criticizing the “insufficient air defense capabilities” and “erroneous decisions” of the Russian leadership, which have left Russia and the occupied territories vulnerable to attacks.
One prominent Russian military blogger on Sunday attributed the crisis to “outright negligence” by officials and stated that the Kremlin will struggle to rectify the situation quickly. Others argue that Russia has yet to establish a unified system to protect shipping from Ukrainian drones.
In assessing Kyiv’s campaign, the ISW noted that “Russia’s inability to adapt air defense systems to the rapidly evolving drone war contradicts the race of offensive and defensive technologies that defines the course of the war in Ukraine.”
On Tuesday, Russia announced it is exploring “alternative shipping routes” and may restrict vessel movement in the Sea of Azov due to increased Ukrainian strikes.
“Alternative shipping routes are currently being worked out in cooperation with the relevant agencies and the business community,” the Russian Ministry of Agriculture stated. They also claimed that the situation would not affect either the domestic food supply or the country’s exports.
The Russian Ministry of Transport reported that it “is taking all necessary measures to ensure the smooth operation of cargo logistics.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also stated that the Kremlin is working to halt Ukrainian attacks.
Source: Euronews
