Russia claims strike on two Ukrainian vessels loaded with weapons

Russia's Ministry of Defense announced it struck two Ukrainian vessels, asserting they were loaded with weapons and military equipment. The ministry did not provide details on the scale of the damage, and independent verification of the claim is not possible. Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the incident.

This reported strike comes after Ukrainian officials reported a nighttime attack near Odesa. That incident injured four crew members aboard a civilian vessel sailing under the flag of Togo, according to regional military governor Oleh Kiper. The exact location of that attack and the weapons used were not specified.

Russia has been attempting to disrupt Ukrainian shipping in the Odesa region and along the Danube and Bug rivers. In recent times, Ukraine has also increasingly targeted Russian assets at sea. The ongoing maritime conflict highlights the strategic importance of naval control and the escalating nature of the conflict.