Overnight July 15, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces hit 17 oil tankers, two gas carriers and one tugboat. The "Magyar's Birds" unit said it struck two LNG carriers, though analysts noted the vessels were likely LPG carriers given the absence of LNG terminals in the region.

In earlier Azov operations, Ukrainian drones targeted deckhouses to disable bridges, often causing crew casualties. In the Black Sea strikes, pilots aimed at cargo tanks, a tactic more likely to damage ships without heavy crew losses.

The success of the campaign was overshadowed by the dismissal of defence minister Mykhailo Federov. President Volodymyr Zelensky removed Mr Federov, reportedly replacing him with Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Federov, a former tech executive, had diverted payroll funds to finance drone strike capabilities and was credited with battlefield gains and anti-corruption efforts.

Mr Federov's six-month tenure was marked by clashes with traditional military leaders, including General Oleksandr Syrski. "Firing him after just six months, and with no explanation, is a really bad look for Zelensky," commented Wall Street Journal correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov.