Ukrainian forces struck 12 Russian shadow fleet vessels in the Black Sea on July 17.

Axar.az reports, citing The Kyiv Independent, that Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces made the remarks on Telegram.

The strikes came as Ukraine launched a large-scale attack on the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. Explosions were reported across several cities, followed by fires at multiple locations.

Nine dry cargo ships, one oil tanker, one gas carrier, and one tugboat were hit in the Black Sea during the attack, Brovdi said.

According to Brovdi, the operation, codenamed "Molochka," has been underway since July 6 and aims to destroy Russia's shadow fleet operating in the Azov and Black Seas. During that period, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck 159 vessels.

Brovdi said 117 of the vessels were struck in the Sea of Azov and another 42 in the Black Sea.