Ukraine strikes Russian shadow fleet tanker Avero in Black Sea operation

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) reported having struck Russia's shadow fleet oil tanker Avero with a naval drone in the Black Sea on 19 July. This marks the fourth shadow fleet tanker being struck in the past ten days.

Crude Oil Tanker AVERO, image credit: Vera Zec Deskovic

According to SBU, the Liberian-flagged Avero had been transporting Russian crude oil, violating the G7 and European Union oil embargo, exporting cargoes primarily to China and India. The 274-meter-long crude oil tanker, which is under Ukrainian sanctions, forms part of Russia's "shadow fleet" used to circumvent international sanctions and generate revenue that finances Russia's war against Ukraine.

Additionally, the SBU also carried out a long-range drone attack that struck three oil depots in Stavropol Territory in Russia. The attack at the three facilities caused fire, explosions and the burning of fuel storage tanks.

These operations were carried out by Ukraine to disrupt oil exports and fuel supplies of Russia's armed forces while reducing the country's military and economic capabilities.