Ukraine has carried out a drone attack on five cargo ships in the Azov Sea and Russian-occupied coastal areas, resulting in five deaths. The Ukrainian military claims the ships were carrying illegal goods. The drone force commander stated the ships were used for smuggling Ukrainian grain, military equipment, and fuel.
The attack occurred as Russian President Vladimir Putin was preparing to deliver a speech at a major economic forum in St. Petersburg. This attack came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a direct meeting with Putin to discuss a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Ukraine confirmed that one of its naval drones exploded near the coast of Romania on Friday, though no casualties were reported. Zelensky, in a letter, mentioned that Russian citizens are weary of Ukraine's drone and missile attacks, fuel shortages, and rising prices. The war has been ongoing for four years.
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russia's military and fuel infrastructure to diminish its war capabilities. Kyiv carried out a drone attack on the outskirts of St. Petersburg a day before Putin's arrival. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry confirmed that five of its citizens were killed in a drone attack on two ships in the Azov Sea, though it did not directly blame anyone. The ministry stated that the attacked ships did not belong to Azerbaijan.
Earlier, Ukraine's drone commander, Robert Brodsky, announced that five 'illegal' ships were targeted in an attack on the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk the previous night. These ships were located in Russian-controlled occupied coastal areas. Brodsky mentioned that the attacked ships included cargo ships and tankers. The names of the ships were erased, and their radars were turned off to secretly steal Ukrainian grain. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry identified the two attacked ships as 'Nastry' and 'Sarcon'.
