Russian oil tankers deploy makeshift drone defenses amid Ukraine attacks - WSJ

Russian oil tankers are increasingly equipping themselves with makeshift drone defenses to counter Ukrainian attacks targeting their journeys across the Bosporus Strait, according to The Wall Street Journal. At least 60 vessels have been observed deploying protective nets, metal cages, and rubber tires to shield critical components like engines, steering systems, and windows from Ukrainian drone strikes, as documented by maritime analyst Yoruk Isik.

These modifications are reminiscent of protective gear utilized on military vehicles and infrastructure within Ukraine, a region where drones have emerged as a significant weapon in the ongoing conflict. Analysts suggest that these makeshift defenses aim to intercept drones before they can inflict damage on the vulnerable ship parts.

Some tankers have even affixed rubber tires along their hulls to safeguard vital machinery from strikes that could leave them incapacitated. These modifications emerge from heightened apprehensions regarding Ukraine's relentless assault on Russia's shadow fleet, responsible for transporting oil outside mainstream shipping and insurance channels.

Ukraine has escalated drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, including refineries and tankers, in a bid to curtail export revenues that sustain Moscow's war efforts. Estimates from Ukraine's drone forces indicate that 300 Russian shadow-fleet vessels have been disabled since July, though this figure remains unconfirmed.

Security experts warn that this campaign could also impact Russia's financial system, as many aging shadow-fleet tankers depend on insurance and funding from Russian state-backed banks, potentially exposing these institutions to losses due to damaged vessels. With Washington pushing for negotiations to end the war, Russian oil shipments continue to serve as a crucial source of foreign currency for Moscow, rendering the tankers economically significant targets.