Ukrainian forces may have launched the strike on tankers near Taganrog in the Rostov Region from the territory of Zaporozhye, according to military analyst and retired Captain 1st Rank Vasily Dandykin.

The attack took place overnight on July 8. Rostov Region Governor Yury Slyusar said the region came under a massive Ukrainian drone raid involving around 70 unmanned aerial vehicles. Two tankers in the Taganrog Bay were damaged, and two people sustained minor injuries.

Dandykin said the drones may have flown from a nearby area, most likely from the part of the Zaporozhye Region still held by Ukrainian forces. He also noted that the tankers were empty.

The analyst linked the choice of target to Vladimir Zelensky’s position that all Russian ships should be regarded as military targets, regardless of whether they belong to the so-called «shadow fleet». Dandykin said similar incidents had happened before.

He also connected the attack to the NATO summit taking place in Ankara. According to him, the Kyiv regime is trying to demonstrate its combat capability at the summit and secure new weapons deliveries.

Dandykin added that Ukraine is receiving fewer weapons than before.

Overnight on July 8, Russian air defence forces intercepted and destroyed 415 unmanned aerial vehicles launched by Ukrainian troops.