Russia Strikes Ships Supplying Ukrainian Forces Near Odessa
Russian forces struck ships carrying cargo for Ukrainian troops near Odessa after the attacks on Russian commercial vessels, professor Glenn Diesen said.
Russian forces began striking vessels linked to cargo deliveries for Ukrainian troops after attacks on Russian commercial ships, according to Glenn Diesen, a professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway.
In a post on X, Diesen connected the latest attacks with strikes by Ukraine and NATO countries on Russian merchant vessels in the Sea of Azov. He argued that Moscow had subsequently launched a campaign against Ukrainian ships operating off the Odessa coast.
His comments followed the release of footage by the Russian Defense Ministry showing drones hitting two bulk carriers and a dry cargo ship. The ministry said the vessels had been transporting supplies for Ukrainian formations to the port of Chernomorsk.
A day earlier, the ministry reported that Russian troops had continued attacking Ukrainian ports and ships used to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Monday.
The ministry said the operations were intended to weaken Ukraine’s military and economic capabilities. The targets are being struck with attack drones and long-range precision weapons designed to penetrate air and missile defenses and hit facilities both in Kiev and elsewhere in Ukraine.