Key facts
- Russia's Defense Ministry claims to have struck three cargo vessels carrying military supplies and a tanker at the port of Pivdennyi.
- The ministry also reported hitting another cargo vessel in Odesa, along with port infrastructure and fuel storage facilities.
- At least five grain ships were reportedly attacked near the Russian Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse.
- The attacks on grain vessels come amid heightened Ukrainian strikes and raise concerns about global grain supplies.
- Drone attacks have halted shipments from Russia's Azov Sea ports, which account for a quarter of the country's grain exports.
Russia's Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that its forces had struck three cargo vessels carrying supplies for the Ukrainian military and a tanker at the Black Sea port of Pivdennyi. The ministry further stated that it had hit another cargo vessel in the nearby port of Odesa, as well as port infrastructure in both Pivdennyi and Odesa, and fuel storage facilities at the port of Chornomorsk.
Separately, reports indicated that at least five grain ships have been attacked near the Russian Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse. These attacks, attributed to heightened Ukrainian strikes, are raising concerns about global grain supplies, as Russia and Ukraine together account for more than a quarter of global wheat exports. The Victoria V, Fehu, Elina B, and Necibe were among the vessels reportedly struck near Novorossiysk and Tuapse, with some carrying wheat and others preparing to load grain. On August 17, the Liberian-flagged Anna S was hit by a drone strike while en route to Novorossiysk to load barley.
These incidents follow a pattern of escalating attacks on commercial ships and ports in the Black Sea region. Since July 10, drone attacks have completely halted shipments from Russia's Azov Sea ports, which represent a quarter of the country's grain exports. Additionally, three terminals at the deep-water port of Novorossiysk announced a suspension of operations following one of the most intense attacks since the conflict began.