Ukraine’s Maritime Drone Campaign

Ukraine has used long-range one-way and maritime drones to attack Russian shipping in the Sea of Azov, the Kerch Strait, and the Black Sea.

Reported targets include shadow-fleet tankers, cargo ships, ferries, patrol vessels, and other maritime assets supporting fuel and military logistics for occupied Crimea. The MoLoChKa campaign and FP-2 strikes have been described as disabling ships by hitting bridges, steering, or communications systems, disrupting traffic even when vessels are not sunk. The campaign’s significance lies in its effort to make a vital supply corridor more difficult and costly to use, while raising questions about sanctions evasion, civilian shipping, and the limits of Russian defenses.