Russian strikes killed 10 people across Ukraine on Wednesday, as President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed his forces destroyed multiple oil tankers and a terminal belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet."
The attacks mark the latest escalation in Russia's campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian areas. Zelensky did not provide specifics on the locations or extent of damage from the drone strikes on the Russian vessels, which operate outside international sanctions regimes to transport oil and circumvent Western restrictions on Russian energy exports.
Russia's shadow fleet has become a focal point of Ukraine's counteroffensive strategy. By targeting these aging tankers and related facilities, Kyiv aims to disrupt Moscow's revenue streams and degrade its ability to fund military operations. The fleet comprises vessels often operating under unclear ownership and frequently turning off tracking systems to avoid detection.
Wednesday's Russian strikes hit multiple regions of Ukraine. Casualty figures and damage assessments came from Ukrainian officials. The tit-for-tat pattern has intensified over recent months as both sides target energy infrastructure and military assets, with civilian populations caught in the crossfire.
The shadow fleet has grown to roughly 1,400 vessels since Western nations imposed sanctions following Russia's 2022 invasion.