The SSU successfully struck the russian shadow-fleet tanker Avero in the Black Sea and targeted three oil depots in Stavropol Krai. The operations were conducted in accordance with tasks assigned by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to weaken the aggressor state's military and economic capabilities.

The tanker Avero transported russian crude oil in violation of the oil embargo imposed by the G7 and the EU. The vessel exported oil to destinations including China and India. The SSU’s Mamai maritime drone targeted the tanker, which is under Ukrainian sanctions. These shadow fleet vessels help the kremlin bypass international restrictions, maintain oil exports, and generate funds to finance the war.

This is the fourth russian shadow tanker struck by the SSU in the last ten days. All of these vessels are large Suezmax-class maritime tankers used to transport major volumes of crude oil and petroleum products.

Additionally, SSU drones struck three oil depots in Stavropol Krai, located 600 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The attack triggered large-scale fires at all three facilities, resulting in explosions and burning fuel storage tanks.

These operations complicate russian oil exports, deprive the kremlin of oil revenues used to fund the war against Ukraine, and degrade the enemy’s ability to supply its troops with fuel.