Russian ships in Black Sea use nets, cages, and World War-era camouflage against Ukrainian drones
Russian merchant ships passing through the Black Sea have begun using unusual methods to protect themselves from Ukrainian aerial and naval drones — from nets and metal structures to camouflage paint reminiscent of designs used during World War I and World War II. Tankers with “cope cages” The shipping monitoring service TankerTrackers.com recently reported on the 28-year-old Suezmax tanker…
Russian ships operating in the Black Sea have begun employing various defensive measures against Ukrainian drones, including nets, metal cages, and World War-era camouflage paint. The TankerTrackers.com service reported on the 28-year-old Suezmax tanker Caruzo, which used netting to cover its superstructure in an attempt to protect itself from Ukrainian aerial drones.
Metal cages were also installed at the stern of the vessel to shield the engine room. Starboard Maritime Intelligence noted that Caruzo had been turning off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) before entering the Black Sea since July 2025, making it appear as if it were located in the Bosphorus. Another Russian vessel, the cargo ship Mechta S, recently caught the attention of Turkish sailors due to its unique paint scheme resembling World War I and II dazzle camouflage.
Without previous appearances on Ukraine's "shadow fleet" lists, Mechta S has been operating in the Black Sea region and has not faced sanctions.
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