Black Sea Escalation: Ukraine Shifts Tactics to Target the Dark Fleet

In this episode of What's Going on With Shipping?, Sal Mercogliano discusses the significant escalation in the Black Sea as Ukraine shifts its tactical focus from the Sea of Azov to targeting international vessels and the Russian "dark fleet" in the Black Sea. ⚓Strategic Shift: Learn why Ukraine has moved its operations into the open Black Sea to target larger tankers and cut off Russian fuel revenue. ⚓Mission Kills: An analysis of the "mission kill" tactic—targeting bridges, engine rooms, and piping systems to disable vessels without causing environmental disasters. ⚓The Dark Fleet: Understanding the role of international tankers in circumventing sanctions and how they have become primary targets. ⚓Global Implications: A look at how these strikes, combined with Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports, are creating a "game of chicken" that threatens global trade routes. ⚓Historical Context: Why the targeting of commercial shipping is a dangerous escalation that echoes the precursors to past global conflicts. Contact What's Going on With Shipping via: Patreon: www.patreon.com/wgowshipping Twitter: @mercoglianos Bluesky: @mercoglianos.bsky.social Facebook: @wgowshipping Email: [email protected] 0:00 - Introduction and Change in Ukrainian Tactics 0:22 - Channel Update 1:58 - Russian Strikes on Commercial Shipping in Ukrainian Ports 3:43 - Deep Dive into Operation MaloKa and Targeting Tankers 5:37 - Shift from the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea 6:49 - Mission Kills: Targeting Engines, Bridges, and Piping 8:41 - Analysis of Daylight Attacks on International Tankers 10:00 - Ukrainian Statement on Paralyzing Logistics 11:21 - Tracking the Cumulative Impact of Ship Strikes 12:21 - Global Shipping Ramifications and the Risk of Escalation 14:57 - Conclusion