Ukraine Strikes Five Vessels in Azov Sea, Naval Drone Explodes Off Romania Coast
Ukrainian drone forces have reportedly struck five vessels operating in the Sea of Azov and off Russian-occupied coastal territories. According to Ukraine’s drone commander, the targeted ships were purportedly engaged in the illicit transport of Ukrainian grain, alongside military cargo and fuel.
Separately, Ukraine confirmed that one of its naval drones exploded off the coast of Romania on Friday. The incident, which caused no reported injuries, occurred near an oil terminal in Constanta, though officials noted considerable damage to a ship and warehouses. Kyiv attributed the drone being off course to Russian electronic interference, a claim yet to receive a response from Moscow.
Azerbaijanis Killed in Azov Sea Attacks
These strikes follow Azerbaijan's foreign ministry reporting five of its citizens killed in drone attacks on ships in Taganrog Bay, Sea of Azov. The ministry identified two cargo vessels, the Natra and Zirkon, as being hit overnight, clarifying that the ships were not Azeri-owned. Russia has attributed these attacks to Ukraine, which has yet to issue an immediate response regarding these specific fatalities.
Ukraine's drone commander, Robert Brovdi, detailed that five “illegally loitering vessels” – cargo ships and tankers with painted-over names and deactivated radars – were struck in the ports of Mariupol, Berdyansk, and other coastal waters of what Ukraine terms “temporarily occupied territories.” Brovdi’s account did not include any mention of casualties.
Diplomatic Standoff and Civilian Harm
The events unfold as Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to address an economic forum in St Petersburg, a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed direct talks to end the conflict. Zelensky’s open letter to Putin called for a full ceasefire during negotiations, a proposition Putin previously dismissed. The Kremlin confirmed receipt of the letter, with a spokesman indicating Putin might comment on it soon.
Amidst these developments, at least 13 people have died and over 70 sustained injuries in Ukraine from Russian strikes over the past day. Russian drones hit a dairy factory near Kyiv, killing four. Further casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including food warehouses, postal facilities, and a school, were reported across Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, and Dnipro regions.
