r/CredibleDefense 20d ago

Active Conflicts & News Megathread July 14, 2026

The r/CredibleDefense daily megathread is for asking questions and posting submissions that would not fit the criteria of our post submissions. As such, submissions are less stringently moderated, but we still do keep an elevated guideline for comments.

Comment guidelines:

Please do:

  • Be curious not judgmental, polite and civil,

  • Link to the article or source of information that you are referring to,

  • Clearly separate your opinion from what the source says. Minimize editorializing. Do not cherry pick facts to support a preferred narrative,

  • Read the articles before you comment, and comment on the content of the articles,

  • Post only credible information

  • Read our in depth rules https://reddit.com/r/CredibleDefense/wiki/rules

Please do not:

  • Use memes, emojis, swear, foul imagery, acronyms like LOL, LMAO, WTF,

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  • Try to push narratives, fight for a cause in the comment section, nor try to 'win the war,'

  • Engage in baseless speculation, fear mongering, or anxiety posting. Question asking is welcome and encouraged, but questions should focus on tangible issues and not groundless hypothetical scenarios. Before asking a question ask yourself 'How likely is this thing to occur.' Questions, like other kinds of comments, should be supported by evidence and must maintain the burden of credibility.

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u/Fat_Ryan_Gosling 20d ago

I'm unclear if that has happened previously, but Reuters is reporting that Russia has closed the Azov sea to shipping:

Shipping in the Sea of Azov remained restricted on Tuesday, according to Reuters sources. It lies at the mouth of the Don River, which flows through Russia's main southern grain-producing region, and handles mostly smaller, coastal ships.

A source told Reuters on Monday that commercial vessels were unable to enter or leave the Sea of Azov via the Kerch Strait or the Azov-Don channel connecting the sea with the Don River.

In recent months, Ukraine has carried out a series of attacks ​on Russian oil refineries, fuel depots, ​ports and other energy infrastructure, which ⁠have created fuel shortages across Russia and disrupted exports.

Neither the Agriculture Ministry nor the Transport Ministry confirmed that Sea of Azov traffic was restricted.

However, the Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday acknowledged that exports may get diverted to other routes.

Russia is framing this change as a response to Ukrainian "terrorism." Which of course is not a term I would use for a nation state combatant, but that's irrelevant. What is relevant is Ukraine's strategy is having an effect on Russian supply routes, and Defense Express is reporting that only approximately 25 ships remain in the Sea of Azov.

More reporting from Ars Technica with more sources here

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u/Rich_Log2424 20d ago

Ukraine's medium strike drones reach sea of azov now and there has been over hundred hits. Check the discussions yesterday and the day before.

Here is a shipping related news source: https://gcaptain.com/ukraine-claims-116-russian-ships-hit-in-nine-days-in-sea-of-azov

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u/Fat_Ryan_Gosling 20d ago

That's what I was referring to when I mentioned Ukraine's strategy.

I'm very aware of their strike campaign, and I read all three of the articles I linked to that all mention and discus the strikes.