Blogger: Russia-Ukraine maritime interdiction warfare intensifies, ports and logistics become key targets
In the early hours of July 17, Russian forces launched a systematic attack on Ukrainian ports for the seventh consecutive day. Almost all ships entering or leaving the ports were targeted, and fuel depots and drone assembly workshops in the ports were also hit. Online videos show a Russian Geranium-4 drone precisely striking a transport ship heading to the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk. This upgraded drone can be remotely controlled, enabling precise strikes on moving targets and instantly locking onto the vulnerable parts of the ship on the eve of the attack, improving the effectiveness of the strikes.
Ukrainian media RBC reported that in addition to striking ports, the Russian Rubicon top drone unit and other frontline drone units have received orders to increase strikes on gas stations, trucks, and other transport vehicles in frontline areas and Ukrainian border regions, fully curbing Ukrainian logistics. Now, Russian drones can precisely strike Ukrainian mobile targets at a depth of about 100 kilometers. This type of strike is similar to the Ukrainian Hornet drone attack on the M14 highway leading to Crimea and is also retaliation for the Ukrainian attack on that highway.
Ukraine released another video of the secondary explosion at the ammunition plant in Vyshneve near Kyiv after the attack, showing that the plant was only 18 meters away from residential buildings. The explosion affected several nearby streets, leveling them almost to the ground, causing 36 casualties and evacuating over 600 people. This ammunition plant was actually a warehouse where Ukrainian troops illegally stored ammunition, seriously violating the regulation that ammunition depots must be far from residential areas.
The focus of Ukrainian airstrikes remains Crimea and its surrounding waters. Last night, 12 Russian ships were attacked. The FP-2 suicide drones used to attack Russian ships have begun using automatic targeting and homing systems, improving the effectiveness of the strikes. However, British military expert Alexander Mercouris believes that Ukraine has exaggerated the results of the airstrikes. All targets were deliberately chosen to showcase the power of Ukrainian drones and to prove to Europe that their investment is worthwhile.
