Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck 90 Russian vessels, including oil tankers, ferries and tugboats, in the Sea of Azov between July 6 and July 12, prompting Russia to temporarily suspend commercial navigation through the Kerch Strait and the Don-Azov Canal; wheat prices rose after the campaign disrupted a shipping corridor that carries about a quarter of Russia's grain exports; Russia's Rostov regional governor confirmed a tanker was struck entering the Azov-Black Sea Canal on July 12

Ukraine struck oil depots and refineries in at least three Russian regions and set two oil tankers ablaze in the Sea of Azov overnight July 8-9, with Zelenskyy calling the campaign his 'long-range sanctions' on Russia; CNBC reported NATO allies are examining a US$40 billion counter-drone investment plan in response to Ukraine's expanding deep-strike capability

Ukraine's military claimed 21 oil tankers, four tugboats, two dry cargo vessels and one specialized vessel were struck by drones in the Sea of Azov overnight on July 10-11, recording 73 hits; Russia halted commercial navigation through the Kerch Strait and the Don-Azov Canal in response; Russian authorities separately confirmed four vessels hit in Taganrog Bay including a methanol tanker, with one sailor killed; Russia's air defenses claimed to have downed 178 Ukrainian drones overnight

The sole water link between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, under Russian control since the 2014 annexation of Crimea and a flashpoint in the Russia-Ukraine war.