Russian river tankers face sea conditions beyond their design

Russia's extensive inland waterways carry fuel toward the Sea of Azov, where cargoes can transfer to larger ships. Mercogliano argues that securing sheltered transfer locations on the northern Azov coast was one reason for the invasion of Ukraine. Attacks around the Kerch Strait and the threat from uncrewed surface vessels have pushed small Russian tankers into more exposed waters. These aging Soviet vessels were designed for river and canal service and lack the longitudinal strength needed for the conditions encountered at sea. Their losses illustrate how disruption at a transfer point can expose weaknesses elsewhere in a transport system.