Maritime incidents reported in the Black and Azov Seas

Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces attacked merchant vessels near the port of Odesa, resulting in at least five deaths. Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper stated that ships flying the flags of Tanzania, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands were struck, leaving several sailors injured. Conversely, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed strikes on cargo ships near Odesa, claiming the vessels were transporting military equipment. Separately, Ukrainian drone forces reported strikes on 15 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov, including seven tankers, claiming a total of 105 vessels were hit over eight days. Navigation in the Sea of Azov remains restricted, specifically blocking entry and exit through the Kerch Strait and the Azov-Don canal. Russian authorities have not confirmed the specific damage to these 15 vessels. Both sides maintain that their actions target military or dual-use assets, while reports on civilian casualties and vessel identities differ significantly. The situation has led to increased tensions regarding maritime security and grain export routes in the region.