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Russian forces have struck 28 vessels at Ukrainian ports and at sea since July 11, according to estimates based on data released by the Russian Defense Ministry and reported by TASS. The strikes, which have targeted vessels carrying military cargoes and fuel for the Ukrainian armed forces, have also hit port infrastructure facilities in several Ukrainian ports.
Strikes Since July 11
TASS reports that the Russian Defense Ministry has documented a series of strikes on vessels and port infrastructure across Ukrainian ports. The ministry stated that on July 12, two dry-cargo vessels and a sea ferry carrying cargoes for the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as a patrol boat, were hit in nighttime strikes on the Chernomorsk port.
Overnight to July 13, Russian forces struck two RO-RO ferries and a container vessel in Chernomorsk, along with a Project 416 Shostka support vessel and a floating dock for autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles.
On the night of July 13-14, a tanker was struck on the route from the Chernomorsk port to Odessa. The Defense Ministry reported on July 15 that a container vessel and a dry-cargo vessel carrying Ukraine's military cargoes were hit in nighttime strikes on the Chernomorsk port.
On the night of July 15-16, a dry-cargo vessel en route to the Chernomorsk port was struck at sea, and a speed boat of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces was hit near Zmeiny Island.
The ministry reported on July 17 that a seagoing vessel and a speed boat of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces were struck during nighttime passage to Odessa Region ports, and four dry-cargo vessels were hit at the Nikolayev port during unloading. Another dry-cargo vessel carrying Ukrainian military supplies was struck at the Yuzhny port.
On the night of July 17-18, a container vessel unloading ammunition was struck at the Chernomorsk port, and a dry-cargo ship was hit near Zmeiny Island. During the day on July 20, Russian unmanned aerial vehicles struck two dry-cargo vessels, according to the ministry.
Recent Strikes on Port Infrastructure
In a statement covering the night of July 23-24, the Russian Defense Ministry said Russian forces continued delivering group strikes with air-launched precision weapons and strike drones on Ukrainian ports. The ministry reported that at the Odessa port, tanks with fuel and lubricants for the Ukrainian armed forces were struck.
At the Nikolayev port, a dry-cargo vessel carrying military supplies was struck during unloading. At the Izmail port, port infrastructure facilities used for unloading and storage of military cargoes were hit, along with three unmanned surface vessel storage depots, including a Magura unmanned boat, and a hangar with equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces. A floating dock for autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles was also struck.
Earlier Strikes Reported
TASS also summarized previous strikes. On the night of July 23, Russian forces struck port infrastructure facilities at the Odessa port used for unloading and storing military cargoes. In Odessa, attack drones hit a workshop manufacturing drone components and a warehouse with drones intended for delivery to the Ukrainian army.
During the day on July 23, the Russian Armed Forces used air-launched precision weapons to strike port infrastructure facilities for unloading and storage of fuel and lubricants for the Ukrainian armed forces at the Yuzhny port.
The Russian Defense Ministry has not released figures on casualties or damage assessments. Independent verification of these claims was not immediately available. TASS, a Russian state news agency, reported the information based on official ministry statements.