Ukraine strikes cargo ships and admits Romania drone blast as Putin prepares for key speech

Ukraine claims that drones have hit five ships that were carrying illegal cargo, including Ukrainian grain and military supplies, in the Sea of Azov and coastal waters of Russian‑occupied territories. The UK‑based commander says the vessels were “illegally loitering” and had been turned off to facilitate covert seizure.

These strikes come as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares a speech at a major economic forum in St. Petersburg. Earlier the day, President Zelensky offered a face‑to‑face meeting in an open letter, seeking a ceasefire to negotiate a settlement.

In a separate event, Ukrainian forces confirmed that one of its naval drones exploded off Romania’s coast. According to Romanian authorities it detonated near an oil terminal, damaging a ship and warehouses but causing no casualties. Ukraine says the drone was part of a group of five, but Russia has denied any involvement.

In the Taganrog Bay of the Sea of Azov, Azerbaijan reported that two cargo ships – the Natra and Zirkon – were hit by drones overnight, killing five Azerbaijani nationals aboard. Russia blames Ukraine, while Ukraine has not yet responded to this claim.

President Zelensky’s letter has been received by the Kremlin and is expected to be addressed in the coming days. He urges a full ceasefire for the duration of negotiations, a point that Putin has previously dismissed.

The EU, France and the United States, along with former US President Donald Trump, all support Zelensky’s call for a bilateral meeting, hoping it could lead to an end of hostilities or at least a pause in the fighting.

Meanwhile, reports of a sea drone detonation in Constanta and other incidents around the Romanian Black Sea coast underline a growing regional security risk.

Throughout the conflict, casualty reports show at least thirteen people killed and more than seventy injured across Ukrainian regions, including attacks on a dairy factory, a postal building, a school, and other civilian infrastructure.