Sea of Azov
The Guardian journalists attended the launch of Ukrainian FP-1 drones that struck a substation in Alushta. Ukrainian military officials say that long-range strikes are exhausting Russia’s air defenses and economy.
The Unmanned Systems Forces struck an S-400 air defense missile system position in Gelendzhik, four air defense elements, and three vessels of Russia's shadow fleet in the Black Sea. SBS Commander Robert Brovdi confirmed the operation, noting that "the air defense downfall" will continue.
SBS Commander Robert Brovdi confirmed operations against 12 targets in the Black and Azov Seas as part of Operation "MoLoChKa". In total, 218 vessels were hit between July 6 and August 8.
President Zelenskyy confirmed strikes with DPICMs and MIDS on Russian facilities, including logistics centers in Sarapul, Kazan, and Volgograd. Also hit were a marine terminal in the Krasnodar region and an oil refinery in the Volgograd region.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine struck a base of Russian unmanned surface vessels in Crimea, four tankers, and five air defense elements. In total, since the beginning of the "MoLoChKa" operation, 205 vessels have been hit.
Russian agricultural sector faces diesel shortage due to damage to refineries, threatening the harvest. The Ministry of Agriculture has reduced preferential lending, worsening the situation for farmers.
On the night of July 27, the Defense Forces struck an export terminal in Rostov-on-Don, causing a fire. Strikes on enemy targets in southern Ukraine also continue.
The Russian Navy has formed the first unmanned systems regiment as part of the Northern Fleet. It is planned to create additional regiments and include a similar structure in the Pacific Fleet in 2027.
Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Robert Brovdi reported hitting 13 targets within the framework of the "MoLoChKa" operation, and not only.
Commander of the SBS Robert Brovdi reported on night strikes against seven vessels, seven electrical substations, and six air defense elements. The total tally of operations from July 1 to 20 is 183 vessels, 103 power units, and 25 air defense units.
The Unmanned Systems Forces attacked 13 substations in occupied Crimea and four vessels of the Russian shadow fleet in the Black Sea overnight. In total, from July 1 to 19, 176 vessels and 96 energy nodes were hit.
Financial Times reports that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, does not have a clear strategy for victory, relying only on prolonged defense and mobilization. The conflict with the dismissed Minister of Defense Fedorov revealed disagreements in Ukraine's military strategy.
On the night of July 17, the Defense Forces struck military targets of the Russian Federation. Two tankers, the patrol ship "Svetlyak", an oil terminal, and the "Slavneft-Yanos" refinery were hit.
Commander of the SBS of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Robert Brovdi confirmed the destruction of 12 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet on July 17. In total, from July 6 to July 17, 159 vessels were destroyed, of which 117 in the Sea of Azov and 42 in the Black Sea.
Commander of the SBS Robert Brovdi reported the destruction of 11 enemy vessels on July 16. In total, from July 6 to July 16, 147 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet were destroyed.
Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Robert "Madyar" Brovdi showed a video of striking 20 vessels of Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Black Sea.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the strike on the oil refining complex "Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat", the Afipsky Refinery, the area of ship transshipment near Gelendzhik, tankers, dry cargo vessels, and other military facilities of Russia.
On the night of July 14, fighters of the Unmanned Systems Forces struck 11 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet in the Sea of Azov. In total, over 9 days as part of the "MoLoChKa" operation, 116 vessels have been hunted down.
The Defense Forces of Ukraine on the night of July 9 struck 12 tankers, a tugboat, and a dry cargo ship of the Russian Federation in the Sea of Azov. Also attacked the oil terminal in Bataysk and an ammunition depot in the Luhansk region.
In May, the Sea of Azov began to bloom abnormally and wash algae ashore due to environmental changes. Experts attribute this to the consequences of the occupation.
Dozens of dead birds are regularly found on the coast of the Sea of Azov near the Gyunai base. Swans die in shrimp nets due to lack of control.
In the Taganrog Bay, UAV debris caused a fire on a cargo ship. In Taganrog, warehouses of a logistics company were damaged due to a missile strike.
There are no Russian warships in the sea, and only small boats are on patrol. Navy spokesman Pletenchuk confirmed the absence of the enemy fleet.
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi spoke about the failure of the 2023 counteroffensive due to a lack of resources and the SBU searches in 2022, which he regarded as an act of intimidation. He warned the President's Office about his readiness to call in military personnel to protect the command center.
On September 30, Odesa received 94 mm of precipitation, which is more than 220% of the monthly norm, caused by a local cyclone and climate change. Extreme precipitation is becoming more frequent due to the warming of the Black Sea and urbanization, which exacerbates flooding.
The director of the "Institute of Fisheries and Marine Ecology" has been notified of suspicion of abuse of office. The official organized uncontrolled fishing under the guise of scientific work, which caused 2.3 million UAH in damages to the state.
Starting September 8, rain and gusty winds are expected in Ukraine, with the exception of the southern and western regions. The air temperature will remain comfortable, reaching up to +28 degrees, and up to +30 in the south.
On August 31, a civilian vessel struck an unidentified explosive device off the coast of Odesa. There are no serious damages or casualties, and the Navy is investigating the circumstances.
On August 28, 2025, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) hit the Russian small missile ship "Buyan-M" in the Sea of Azov. The ship was damaged by a drone strike on its radar and an attack by special forces.
Russia withdrew from the arbitration process initiated by Ukraine over the seizure of ships in the Kerch Strait in 2018. The Russian Federation claims "gross procedural violations" and an "illegitimate composition" of the tribunal.