**Russia Strikes Ukrainian Military Targets in Odessa Region**
Russian forces have conducted a significant overnight assault on military and logistical targets in the Odessa Region of Ukraine, according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense. The attack, which took place on the Black Sea coast, reportedly involved high-precision air and ground-launched weapons, as well as attack drones.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced that the strikes targeted various locations, including two vessels at sea, port infrastructure, fuel storage facilities, and a coastal missile battery. This operation appears to be part of an ongoing campaign by Russia to disrupt Ukrainian military logistics and shipping activities in the Black Sea.
At the Port of Odessa, the assault focused on infrastructure utilized for unloading and storing military cargo. Additionally, tanks containing fuel and lubricants intended for the Ukrainian armed forces were also struck. This highlights the strategic importance of the port facilities in supporting Ukraine's military operations.
Two vessels, identified as a dry cargo ship and a bulk carrier, were reportedly hit while navigating 15 kilometers and 53 kilometers southeast of Odessa. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that these ships were transporting supplies meant for the Ukrainian military.
In the city of Odessa itself, the attack targeted a logistics center operated by the Ukrainian delivery company Novaya Pochta. Moscow characterized this facility as a storage site for military cargo, further emphasizing the focus on disrupting Ukraine's logistical capabilities.
Additionally, near the settlement of Kovalevka, approximately 25 kilometers northwest of Odessa, Russian forces struck a Ukrainian Neptune-2 coastal missile battery, destroying two launchers and a transporter-loader vehicle. This action reflects the ongoing efforts by Russia to neutralize Ukraine's coastal defense capabilities.
The recent strikes are part of a broader and intensified Russian campaign against Ukrainian shipping and port infrastructure in the Black Sea region. In recent weeks, Russian forces have reported multiple attacks on cargo vessels and facilities in Odessa, Chernomorsk, Yuzhny, and Nikolayev, which are believed to be involved in transporting military equipment or supporting Ukrainian drone operations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday that Russia intends to continue its strikes on vessels used for transporting weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. The Russian government has framed this military campaign as a response to what it describes as Ukrainian terrorist attacks on Russian civilian and energy infrastructure.
As the conflict continues, the situation in the Black Sea remains tense, with both sides engaging in operations aimed at undermining each other's military capabilities. The attacks on Odessa and surrounding areas underscore the strategic significance of the region in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.