Ukraine’s Drone Blitz on Russian Ships Beats 1980s Tanker War Pace
Ukraine has struck Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov at a faster rate than during the Iran-Iraq tanker wars of the 1980s, while also signing a deal for 16 Rafale fighter jets and forming a new anti-missile coalition in Paris.
Over the past week, Kyiv has launched an unprecedented drone assault on Russian ships in the Sea of Azov, surpassing the pace of attacks seen during the Iran-Iraq tanker wars of the 1980s [195823]. The strikes target vessels used for military supplies and trade, aiming to disrupt Russia’s naval operations and supply lines in the key waterway that connects to the Black Sea [195823]. Military analysts say Ukraine is now gaining the upper hand in the region, reducing Russia’s naval presence and steadily turning the tide in what was once a Russian stronghold [194813].
In a parallel diplomatic push, Ukraine signed a contract to purchase 16 Rafale fighter jets from France and announced the creation of a new anti-ballistic missile coalition during a meeting in Paris [195473]. The Rafale jets, manufactured by Dassault Aviation, are advanced multi-role combat aircraft capable of air-to-air and ground-attack missions [195473]. The new coalition will jointly develop an anti-ballistic missile system designed to provide a cheaper alternative to the U.S. Patriot system, which is currently one of the most effective but expensive defenses against Russian ballistic missiles [195468]. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the deal, though no specific timeline for delivery of the jets or the coalition’s operational start was provided [195473].