Kathrine Frich
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has transformed the Black Sea into one of the most militarised maritime zones in the world.
Once dominated by commercial traffic carrying grain, oil and metals, the region has seen repeated attacks, blockades and disruptions that have rippled through global markets and raised fears for civilian shipping.
Ships targeted
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said on Friday that Russian forces attacked two foreign-flagged transport ships with drones in the Odesa region of southern Ukraine, Reuters reported.
One of the vessels was heading to the port of Chornomorsk to collect a shipment of grain and was sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The second ship, registered in the Comoros Islands, was struck near the port of Odesa while transporting soybeans.
“Unfortunately, the attack resulted in the death of one crew member, a Syrian citizen,” Kuleba said, adding that several other people were injured.
Wider impact
The strikes on the vessels came as part of a broader wave of Russian attacks across Ukraine.
According to the Kyiv Independent, separate Russian strikes left around half of Kyiv’s apartment buildings without heating on Friday.
Temperatures in the capital fell to about minus 10 degrees Celsius, increasing pressure on emergency services and local authorities to restore essential infrastructure.
Ukrainian officials said repair crews were working to bring heating and electricity back to affected neighbourhoods.
Massive assault
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched a large overnight barrage involving 242 drones and 36 missiles, with Kyiv and surrounding areas among the main targets.
The attacks damaged energy facilities and residential buildings in the capital, killing at least four people and wounding 19 others, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Sources: Reuters, Kyiv Independent, Hotnews.
