Russia said on Sunday that overnight strikes by its forces had hit three cargo vessels carrying military goods for Ukraine and two electricity substations supplying power to the Ukrainian defence industry. The Defence Ministry stated that Russian forces struck a container ship delivering weapons and military equipment to the Black Sea port of Odesa, and another in the port of Chornomorsk in Ukraine's southwestern region.
According to the ministry, the second container ship had delivered dual-use cargo to Ukraine. A third vessel, a dry cargo ship hit southwest of Odesa, was carrying weapons and military equipment for Ukraine's armed forces.
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine regarding these specific claims. The ministry added that Russia had hit two power substations in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk and Zhytomyr regions, which powered military-industrial enterprises vital for the ongoing conflict.
These infrastructure strikes are part of an intensified campaign by Moscow to disrupt logistics and manufacturing capacities across key Ukrainian regions. Ukrainian power company DTEK said a Russian overnight attack on energy facilities in Dnipropetrovsk left more than 600,000 people without electricity.
Important energy facilities and distribution networks in the region were severely damaged in the overnight raid, the company said on Telegram. Military analysts note that targeting both transport logistics in the Black Sea and domestic power infrastructure represents a dual-track strategy by Russian forces.
By cutting off supplies arriving via maritime routes and crippling internal power grids simultaneously, Moscow aims to strain Ukraine's defensive capabilities. Local authorities in the affected regions have mobilized emergency repair crews to restore power to critical infrastructure, including hospitals and water treatment facilities.
However, officials warn that full restoration could take several days given the extent of the damage reported at multiple sub-stations. International observers continue to monitor the security situation around Black Sea ports, where maritime traffic has faced persistent disruptions since the escalation of hostilities.
The safety of commercial shipping remains a major concern for global supply chains and regional stability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv has repeatedly called on international partners to strengthen air defense systems to protect civilian and industrial infrastructure from incoming missile and drone attacks.
Western allies have pledged ongoing support, but delivery timelines and logistical hurdles remain challenging. As winter approaches, concerns regarding the stability of Ukraine's power grid have heightened significantly.
Humanitarian organizations are preparing for potential displacement and increased energy needs if sustained attacks on electrical substations continue across the country. Both sides maintain that their military actions conform to strategic necessities, while diplomatic efforts to achieve a durable ceasefire have yielded limited results amid deep-seated disagreements over territorial integrity and security guarantees.