Ukraine strikes 19 Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers supplying Crimea in 72-hour drone campaign

Ukraine launched a major drone campaign striking 19 Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers in the Sea of Azov over 72 hours to disrupt fuel supplies to occupied Crimea. In response, Russia targeted Kyiv and Odesa with missile strikes, injuring at least 12 people. To counter Ukraine's Starlink-guided drones, Russia is deploying Volna Kupol Garant jamming systems. Meanwhile, at a NATO summit in Ankara, President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed appeals for alliance membership, while Donald Trump claimed progress in peace talks with Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian shadow fleet strikes

• ▪Ukrainian drone forces stated that striking Russian naval logistics complicates the supply of fuel and ammunition to troops in Crimea
• ▪A Reuters review of seven vessels initially reported struck on July 7, 2026, showed only two were under international sanctions
• ▪The Sea of Azov serves as a key fuel and logistics supply route for Russian forces operating in occupied Crimea
• ▪Rostov region governor Yury Slyusar reported that two empty tankers en route to Rostov-on-Don were damaged in the Taganrog Bay
• ▪Ukrainian drones struck 19 Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers in the Sea of Azov over a 72-hour period ending July 8, 2026

Russian missile attacks

• ▪Russian forces are deploying jamming systems to disrupt Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system used by Ukrainian drone pilots
• ▪A Russian missile strike in the southern port city of Odesa on July 7, 2026, injured 10 people

Starlink jamming countermeasures

• ▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his appeal for Ukraine to join NATO during a defense industry forum in Ankara
• ▪The Russian Volna Kupol Garant jamming system emits a signal capable of destabilizing Starlink connections across a 20-square-kilometer area

Ukraine Nato membership appeal

• ▪Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that NATO leaders support Ukraine's long-range strikes inside Russia to pressure Moscow into negotiations
• ▪Donald Trump stated he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about ending the war

Trump-Putin war negotiations

• ▪Donald Trump announced the United States would lift sanctions on Turkey imposed in 2020 over its purchase of Russian missiles