safety
The last thing a Russian tanker sees: Inside Ukraine's drone war at sea
By Jason Bellini at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· July 13, 2026
· 1 min read
The tankers were built to be invisible. But this week, Ukraine made them the most visible things at sea. Ukrainian drones struck roughly 90 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov over seven days, part of an intensifying campaign to sever the fuel lifeline to Russian-occupied Crimea. Robert "Madyar" B...
Key takeaway Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, said his crews hit a Russian ship on average every 112 minutes during the week.
Why this matters in The Detroit
For Detroiters, the intensifying drone war at sea between Ukraine and Russia may seem like a distant concern, but its economic implications could have a ripple effect on the local economy. As a major hub for international trade and commerce, Detroit 's businesses and industries may feel the impact of disruptions to global oil markets. The campaign's goal of severing Russia's fuel lifeline to Crimea could lead to increased oil prices, affecting the cost of doing business in Detroit and the surrounding region. Additionally, the city's strong ties to the automotive industry, which relies heavily on international trade and stable oil prices, make it vulnerable to fluctuations in the global energy market. As the situation unfolds, Detroiters should keep a close eye on how the conflict affects local businesses and the regional economy.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The tankers were built to be invisible. But this week, Ukraine made them the most visible things at sea. Ukrainian drones struck roughly 90 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov over seven days, part of an intensifying campaign to sever the fuel lifeline to Russian-occupied Crimea. Robert "Madyar" B...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jason Bellini at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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