Ukraine strikes cargo ships, confirms Romania drone blast as Putin prepares key speech
Ukraine’s drone commander, Robert Brovdi, said that five vessels described as “illegally loitering” were struck overnight in the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk, as well as in nearby coastal waters in areas Ukraine refers to as the “temporarily occupied territories.” Those territories are parts of Ukraine that are currently under Russian control.
The reported strikes come amid ongoing fighting and repeated attacks across occupied areas in eastern and southern Ukraine. Mariupol and Berdyansk are both strategically important ports on the Sea of Azov, and both have been under Russian occupation since the early months of the war. Because of their location, the ports are often viewed as key logistical points for military supply, transport and maritime activity.
Brovdi’s statement suggests the operation targeted maritime assets in waters and ports that Ukraine considers part of its sovereign territory, even though Russia currently controls the area. The phrase “illegally loitering vessels” indicates that the drones were aimed at ships or boats believed to be operating in a way Ukrainian forces view as unauthorized or hostile. No immediate details were provided about the type of vessels involved, the extent of the damage, or whether there were any casualties.
Ukraine has increasingly used drone strikes to hit military targets, infrastructure and transport assets in occupied regions and deep behind Russian lines. These attacks have become a central part of Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian logistics and weaken its ability to move personnel, fuel and equipment. Maritime targets in occupied coastal zones are particularly sensitive because they can support both military operations and economic activity.
Mariupol, once a major industrial and shipping center, became one of the most heavily damaged cities in the war after a prolonged siege in 2022. Berdyansk, another port city on the Azov coast, has also been under Russian occupation and has been used in different periods of the conflict as a transit and military support hub. Any strike in these locations can carry significance beyond the immediate damage because of their symbolic and operational value.
The latest reported attack adds to a pattern of Ukrainian strikes on occupied territory, where drones have become a key tool for reaching targets that would otherwise be difficult to hit. Such operations are often aimed at disrupting Russian control, forcing defensive redeployments and limiting the use of ports and transport infrastructure.
Brovdi’s announcement did not include independent verification, and details remain limited. It was not immediately clear when the vessels were struck, what role they were serving, or how Russia responded. As with many wartime claims, the full scale and impact of the reported attack may only become clearer as more information emerges.
Still, the statement underscores the continuing intensity of the conflict in Ukraine’s occupied south, where drone warfare and attacks on infrastructure remain an important part of the broader struggle for territorial control.
