The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) struck a tanker in the Black Sea, a Russian pontoon crossing and a concentration of Russian personnel as part of broader efforts to weaken Moscow’s military and economic capabilities.
The General Staff of the AFU confirmed the strikes, which were conducted overnight Wednesday-Thursday.
JOIN US ON TELEGRAM
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
“A tanker was hit in the Black Sea,” the General Staff said, adding that the vessel transported Russian oil, petroleum products and fuel for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
The statement did not identify the tanker or provide more details about the extent of the damage.
Russian military logistics targeted
According to the statement, the AFU also struck a pontoon crossing near Novoekonomichne in the Donetsk region. Russian troops were reportedly using the crossing to support military logistics, alongside transferring personnel and equipment.
Another strike targeted an area where Russian soldiers were concentrated in Horlivka, also in the Donetsk region. However, the General Staff reported no casualties and did not disclose the number of troops at the site.
“The Ukrainian Defense Forces will continue systematically taking measures aimed at ending the Russian Federation’s armed aggression,” the General Staff said.
Broader wave of Ukrainian strikes
On Wednesday afternoon, Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) Commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi reported that over the previous 48-hours Ukraine’s drone offensive had struck 13 Russian ships and 13 energy facilities in occupied Crimea.
EU Sanctions Russia's Sports Minister and FIDE President in 21st Package
An additional 13 “Shadow Fleet” vessels were struck, including dry cargo vessels, tankers, and floating cranes used to evade Western sanctions. The strike brought the total number of vessels hit during the 13-day operation “Molochka” to 172.
Leaked documents published by Void Group indicated that Russian occupation authorities appear to be preparing for the possible evacuation of the families of Black Sea Fleet personnel and civilian military employees from occupied Crimea, as Ukraine continues to pressure military and logistical infrastructure.
Russia intensifying strikes on Ukraine’s Black Sea grain corridor
Meanwhile, on Thursday, President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of escalating its campaign intended to cripple Ukraine’s Black Sea grain export, saying that no commercial vessels have entered the country’s port as Moscow steps up attacks on maritime infrastructure.
“They attacked all the ships. They will intensify this,” Zelensky said, adding that Kyiv had anticipated Russia’s strategy months ago and dedicated an official to oversee the protection and operation of the maritime export route.
The disruption is already affecting global markets. According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, a maritime intelligence company, the worsening security situation has pushed up wheat prices as shipowners reassess the risk of operating in Ukrainian waters.
Despite Russia repeatedly targeting Odesa’s ports throughout the war, it has recently intensified strikes on sunflower oil facilities, grain terminals, and commercial vessels, specifically targeting civilian shipping.
A Russian missile struck the Turkish-owned cargo ship Golden Leo as it departed Odesa with grain, killing 10 people on Monday, July 20.
According to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority USPA, Russian forces attacked 23 port infrastructure facilities and 17 civilian vessels during the first two weeks of July alone, killing 11 people, including port workers and foreign sailors.
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter
