Russia Says It Struck Five Vessels at Ukrainian Black Sea Ports

Russia's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that its forces struck five ships at two Ukrainian Black Sea ports, targeting vessels it described as carrying military-related supplies. Three cargo vessels and one tanker were hit at the port of Pivdennyi, also known as Yuzhny, while a separate cargo ship was struck at the nearby port of Odesa. Russia's military also reported striking port infrastructure at Pivdennyi and Odesa, as well as fuel storage facilities at the port of Chornomorsk. The three ports are central to Ukraine's grain exports, handling most of the country's wheat, corn, barley and sunflower oil shipments. They gained added importance after the Black Sea Grain Initiative collapsed in 2023, prompting Ukraine to develop alternative shipping routes along the western Black Sea coast that depend on these facilities remaining operational. The strikes come during the post-harvest export period for Ukrainian grain, when disruption to port and fuel infrastructure could affect cargo movement. The reported strikes coincide with continued Ukrainian attacks on Russian vessels, including more than 100 tankers and cargo ships linked to Russia's shadow fleet used to evade Western sanctions. Most of these attacks have involved drones as part of Operation MoLoChKa, launched in July 2026. War-risk insurance premiums for Black Sea shipping have risen amid the ongoing conflict.