Drone Strike on Russian Tanker Escalates Ukraine's Counteroffensive

Ukrainian strikes on Russian targets in the Black Sea, including naval drones targeting maritime and Crimean peninsula, are setting the stage for a larger counteroffensive, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). As Ukraine continues its land-based attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine, it has expanded its efforts to include naval targets. Russia has responded by fortifying defenses around its Crimean ports and coastline. Recent attacks by Ukrainian drones have reportedly damaged a Russian warship and an oil tanker near the Kerch Strait Bridge. Ukraine's success with drone strikes has prompted plans to further expand their scale of operations.