July 14, 2026, 8:58 p.mJuly 14, 2026, 8:58 p.m
Image: sc/x.coma
The Russian military has attacked three more civilian freighters near the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa in the Black Sea. “As a result of the attack, the captain of one of the ships was killed,” said the military governor of the Odessa region, Oleh Kiper, on Telegram. Three of eleven crew members were injured. The ships therefore sailed under the flags of Tanzania and Liberia.
In the evening, Kiper reported another attack on port facilities in the Odessa region. Two people were killed. According to reports, a ship flying the flag of the Marshall Islands was damaged by a drone attack. A fire broke out on board. According to Kiper, a fire also broke out in an industrial facility that was attacked. Among other things, a reservoir containing sunflower oil burned.
Russia confirms attacks
The Defense Ministry in Moscow confirmed in a statement on Telegram attacks on two dry cargo ships that were on their way to the port of Odessa. In addition, another three freighters anchored in the harbor were attacked with combat drones. According to Russian information, the ships were transporting goods for the Ukrainian military.
In the past few days, Ukraine has carried out drone attacks on tankers and freighters, especially in the Sea of Azov, a tributary of the Black Sea, in its defensive war that has been ongoing since February 2022. According to Ukrainian information, more than 100 ships have already been attacked. Russia then expanded its attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure and ships calling at Ukrainian ports. (sda/dpa)