Pro-Ukraine partisans inside Russia have claimed that Kremlin war chiefs plan to arm their “shadow fleet” ships with anti-air attack troops to prevent attacks. Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) struck 147 Russian ships operating in the Black and Azov Seas between July 6 and July 16, with another six hit last night.
Atesh Agents Reveal Russian Plans
Agents from the “Atesh” group, which supports Ukraine, say Russia will place at least three anti-missile soldiers aboard each sanctions-buster vessel. This escalation follows the armed British Royal Marine seizure of the Russian shadow vessel Smyrtos in the English Channel last month. Troops aboard these boats could make future boarding operations more hazardous for elite forces.
The Atesh issued a statement: “The reason for the command’s panic is obvious. In just 10 days, Ukraine’s Defense Forces imposed ‘physical sanctions’ on more than 136 Russian tankers operating illegally in Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone.” The group says Russia plans to deploy personnel from the Rubicon UAV Center, the 51st Air Defense Division, and the 1096th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment.
Anti-Air Equipment and Tactics
Each tanker is expected to carry up to three servicemen equipped with twin machine guns, portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), and anti-drone weapons. This shift comes as Ukraine intensifies attacks on Russian logistics chains with repeated drone strikes. Dozens of oil and gas installations across Russia have also been hit in deep-strike missile attacks up to 1,000 miles across the border.
The attacks have removed hundreds of millions of pounds of revenue from Kremlin coffers, hampering Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ability to fund the war. However, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky faces pressure after sacking popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, sparking protests in Kyiv and other cities with placards reading “hands off Federov” and “stop sabotaging victory.”
Political Turmoil in Ukraine
Fedorov, 35, appointed only in January, is credited with energising the ministry, fighting corruption, and using data to improve front-line performance. Zelensky has nominated Maj-Gen Yevhenii Khmara, acting head of the Security Service (SBU), as acting defence minister, stating: “Khmara has gained extensive and, in many respects, unprecedented experience with technological combat operations.” Initial rumours that Fedorov’s dismissal stemmed from tensions with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi were confirmed by both Fedorov and Zelensky.
