Robert Brovdi reports that Ukrainian drone strikes have forced Russia to suspend traffic through the Sea of Azov.
Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, confirmed that Kyiv has struck 116 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov over the past nine days. These relentless drone attacks have forced Moscow to suspend traffic through the waterway's two primary chokepoints: the Don-Azov Channel and the Kerch Strait. The development marks a significant shift in the conflict, as the Sea of Azov was previously a Russian staging ground. By disrupting these routes, Ukraine is successfully isolating occupied Crimea and hindering Russia's ability to transport petroleum and grain. As the world’s largest grain exporter, Russia faces potential economic losses in the billions, as the Sea of Azov typically handles a quarter of its wheat exports. While Russia claims it can reroute exports through other Black Sea terminals, analysts suggest this may be difficult during peak seasons. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov characterized the Ukrainian campaign as "terrorism" intended to intimidate, while Ukraine maintains it is targeting military objectives to disrupt Russian logistics.