Ukraine: Kiev accuses Russia of attacking civilian ships in the Black Sea

On June 19, the Ukrainian government accused Russia of attacking two civilian ships in the Black Sea during the night of June 18, resulting in one death and five injuries. According to statements made by Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, Oleksiy Kuleba, on his Telegram channel, a crew member aboard a Panamanian-flagged vessel was killed, while two others were injured—one seriously. Additionally, three sailors from another ship flying the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis suffered minor injuries. The attack reportedly occurred when Russian drones targeted the vessels, which were engaged in commercial activities in international waters.

Kuleba described the incident as further evidence of Russia’s ongoing conflict against freedom of navigation, international trade, and global food security. He did not specify the type of cargo being transported by the attacked ships nor provide details about the nationality of the deceased sailor or the injured individuals. In addition to the attacks on the ships, Kuleba claimed that Russia had also targeted Ukrainian port infrastructure, labeling the action as terrorism and calling for a strong international response.

This accusation comes amid repeated reports from Kyiv regarding Russian attacks on ships operating in Ukrainian ports throughout the war. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have been targeting what they refer to as Russia’s “ghost fleet,” a network of vessels used to circumvent international sanctions and continue exporting oil and other goods. According to a statement released by Ukraine’s Air Force on June 19, Russia launched 90 long-range drones against Ukraine between the evening of June 18 and early morning of June 19. Of these, 79 were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses.

The attacks resulted in significant casualties, including an eight-year-old girl who died in Pavlograd, located in the Dnipropetrovsk region of central-eastern Ukraine. This tragic loss highlights the growing impact of drone warfare on both military and civilian populations within the country.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported multiple incidents involving Ukrainian drone attacks. Officials monitoring the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant confirmed that at least 14 Ukrainian drones struck the facility between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. While no fatalities were reported, some structures and repair areas sustained damage. Russia has occupied the plant since the beginning of its invasion in 2022 and plans to integrate it into its national energy grid.

In addition, regional authorities in Belgorod, a Russian region bordering Ukraine, announced over 100 attacks in the past 24 hours, leading to the death of a civilian. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, 133 Ukrainian drones were shot down during the previous night in several regions, including Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Voronezh, Oryol, Smolensk, Tula, Rostov, Ryazan, and Moscow. These drones were also intercepted above Crimea, a peninsula annexed by Russia.

Following the release of the first military report, Russian authorities issued drone alerts in coastal cities such as Anapa and Tuapse, popular tourist destinations. On Thursday, Moscow and its surrounding metropolitan area experienced one of the largest drone attacks since the start of the war, underscoring the escalating intensity of aerial threats faced by both sides.

The conflicting accusations highlight the complex nature of the ongoing conflict, with each side claiming the other is responsible for attacks on critical infrastructure and civilian targets. The situation remains tense as both nations continue to engage in strategic strikes aimed at disrupting each other’s operations and asserting control over contested territories.