Ukraine said it struck five cargo ships in the Sea of Azov and coastal waters of Russian‑occupied territories, claiming the vessels were smuggling Ukrainian grain and transporting military cargo. The strikes occurred overnight in Mariupol, Berdyansk and other occupied ports, according to Ukrainian drone commander Robert Brovdi.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian naval drone detonated off the Romanian coast near the Black Sea port of Constanta. Romanian authorities reported that the drone, a part of a presumed group of five, blew up near an oil terminal, causing damage to a ship and warehouses but no casualties. Ukraine later confirmed one of its drones was involved, attributing the incident to Russian electronic interference.
The events unfold as President Putin prepares to give a key speech at a major economic event in St Petersburg, following Zelensky’s open letter urging direct negotiations. Zelensky has requested a face‑to‑face meeting to end the war and called for a ceasefire during proposed talks, a proposition Putin rejected earlier in the week.
In other news, the Ukrainian emergency service posted images of a drone strike on a dairy factory in the Kyiv region, where at least 13 people were killed and more than 70 injured. President Putin, after speaking to foreign journalists, said he was ready to reach an agreement but emphasized the need for Ukraine to relinquish control of four occupied regions.
International reactions include the EU, France and the United States backing Zelensky's call for a meeting, while Russian officials and spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that the letter had been received and that Putin would likely comment on it in his upcoming speech.
As tensions rise, Romania reported additional security incidents, including a stray mine on a beach near Constanta and a drone strike on a Galati apartment block. Romanian officials deemed the drone on the Black Sea a Russian drone, though Moscow denied involvement.
Overall, the day highlights a continuation of hostilities on the maritime front and diplomatic friction at the highest levels of leadership on both sides of the conflict.
