2 weeks ago
Russian Tankers Adopt 'Mad Max' Style Defenses Against Ukrainian Drones
Russia and Ukraine are in a war, and Ukraine is using small boats and flying machines that drive themselves, called drones.
These drones attack Russian ships that carry oil.
To try to stay safe, Russian ships now put nets, metal cages, and water tanks on top of themselves.
One old tanker named Caruzo sailed through the Bosphorus wearing all of these protections.
Since the start of July 2026, Ukraine says it has hit more than 218 Russian-linked ships in the sea.
The attacks are meant to stop Russia from making money on oil during the war.
Because of the fighting, it is getting harder and more expensive for ships to travel through the Black Sea.
The ships also have a harder time getting insurance.
Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, said his country also attacked a big Russian navy base at Novorossiysk.
Oil tankers sailing through the Black Sea are being fitted with anti-drone nets, metal cages, and stackable water tanks as Russia turns to improvised defenses against Ukrainian drone attacks.
The 28-year-old, UK- and EU-sanctioned tanker Caruzo passed through the Bosphorus with anti-drone netting along its sides, water tanks on its hull, and a cage-like structure over its roof.
Ukraine has struck more than 218 Russian-linked vessels in the Sea of Azov and Black Sea since early July 2026, using sea drones, jet-powered drones, and anti-ship missiles.
US Vice President JD Vance asked Ukraine to stop attacks near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal at Novorossiysk over concerns about US oil company interests and global energy markets.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine carried out a 'unique operation' against the Russian naval base at Novorossiysk, hitting ships, air-defense positions, piers, and port infrastructure.
- Who
- Russian ship operators defending vessels, Ukrainian forces under President Volodymyr Zelensky carrying out the attacks, and US Vice President JD Vance, who raised concerns about the campaign.
- What
- Russia is fitting oil tankers with anti-drone nets, metal cages, and water tanks to protect them from Ukraine's expanding maritime drone campaign.
- Where
- The Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Russian naval port of Novorossiysk.
- When
- Ukraine has struck more than 218 vessels since early July 2026; the Caruzo was seen passing through the Bosphorus on a Tuesday, and Zelensky announced the Novorossiysk operation on a Wednesday.
- Why
- Ukraine aims to disrupt Russia's wartime economy and fuel routes supplying occupied Crimea, while Russia is defending its shipping and naval infrastructure.
Ukraine's Drone Campaign
Concerns Over Energy Routes
Attacks near Novorossiysk
Ukraine's Drone Campaign
Ukraine's 'unique operation' against the Novorossiysk naval base is a strike on Russian ships, air-defense positions, piers, and port infrastructure.
Concerns Over Energy Routes
US Vice President JD Vance asked Ukraine to stop attacks near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal because they threaten US oil company interests and global energy markets.
Cost of maritime warfare
Ukraine's Drone Campaign
The growing drone campaign is an effective way to disrupt Russia's wartime economy and fuel routes supplying occupied Crimea.
Concerns Over Energy Routes
The campaign has made commercial shipping more expensive and harder to insure, raising costs and risks across the Black Sea.
Key facts
- Defensive measures
- Anti-drone nets, metal cages, and stackable water tanks
- Notable vessel
- Caruzo, a 28-year-old tanker sanctioned by the UK and EU
- Vessels struck
- More than 218 Russian-linked vessels since early July 2026
- Ukrainian attack methods
- Uncrewed surface vessels, jet-powered drones, and anti-ship missiles
- Strategic objective
- Disrupt Russia's wartime economy and fuel routes to occupied Crimea
- Latest operation
- 'Unique operation' against the Novorossiysk naval base
- US concern
- JD Vance asked Ukraine to stop attacks near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal
- Novorossiysk harbor defenses
- Anti-drone nets plus booms and barges across the entrance since March 2024
Quotes
Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine
“The strikes hit Russian ships, air‑defence positions, piers and other parts of the port infrastructure”
NDTV
“Mad Max movies have nothing that can top this”
NDTV
Samir Madani
Co‑founder of shipping monitoring website Tankertrackers.com
“The fear is real”
NDTV
Sources
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