Russia has begun protecting oil tankers and ports with anti-drone nets, according to the FT
The Russians have begun installing anti-drone nets and special “cages” on oil tankers and at port terminals in an effort to protect them from attacks by Ukrainian drones.
According to the publication, Russian oil tankers have begun to be equipped with structures designed to protect against drones.
In particular, shipping analyst Yoruk Isik published a video showing the 28-year-old tanker Caruzo, which is subject to sanctions by the EU and the United Kingdom.
On Tuesday, the vessel left the Black Sea via the Bosphorus, carrying anti-drone nets and suspended water tanks on board.
According to Isik, another sanctioned tanker—the Rizvel—is also equipped with anti-drone nets. The vessel was in the Marmara Sea south of Istanbul.
Meanwhile, in the port of Novorossiysk, the Russians have installed large-scale nets and other fortifications around the naval base where ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet are stationed.
Satellite images taken by Airbus show large protective nets, booms, and barges positioned at the entrance to the harbor. These structures are intended to make access to the port from the sea more difficult and to protect facilities from drone attacks.
According to the Financial Times, over the past two months, Ukraine has carried out one of its most intense campaigns of strikes against Russian ships in the Azov and Black Seas.
The main goal of these attacks is to weaken Russian oil exports and reduce oil supplies, which generate significant revenue for Moscow to finance the war.
Consequently, Russia is forced to strengthen the protection not only of military facilities but also of oil infrastructure and civilian vessels, using anti-drone nets, barges, and other physical barriers.
This is reported by the Financial Times.
In the temporarily occupied city of Feodosia in Crimea, Russian military personnel have covered a local oil depot with anti-drone nets.
In addition, the Russian military has begun equipping submarines of the Pacific Fleet with anti-drone nets on a large scale.
