Russia launched 524 combat drones and 22 missiles on Ukraine overnight from Sunday to Monday, targeting Odessa and Dnipro in particular, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
A drone landed in Kiev, Ukraine, December 27, 2025. (AFP / SERGEI SUPINSKY)
Russian attacks are “now a risk even for its partners”. Ukrainian naval forces have accused Russia of hitting a Chinese cargo ship with a drone off the Ukrainian port of Odessa, in the Black Sea, on the night of Sunday to Monday, May 18.
The incident occurred at
the day before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China
. “The Russians could not ignore which ship was at sea,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X.
Monday morning, “an enemy combat drone attacked the cargo ship KSL DEYANG which was at sea near the Odessa region,” the Ukrainian naval forces said on the Telegram network. They published a photo showing a black mark on the ship’s wheelhouse, appearing to be the spot where the drone struck. “Russia once again demonstrates that its attacks pose a threat not only to Ukraine; it is now a risk even to its partners, whose boats are found in the Black Sea,” added the naval forces.
Brief fire
Le bateau a été légèrement endommagé, mais personne n’a été tué ni blessé, a affirmé à l’
AFP
the spokesperson for the Ukrainian naval forces, Dmytro Pletentchuk.
The ship, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, belongs to a Chinese owner and has a Chinese crew, the naval forces further specified. “The boat entered the port area for loading. After being
hit at night by a Shahed, the crew dealt with the consequences alone”
and “the ship continued its route towards its port of destination”, detailed Mr. Pletentchouk.
A second ship, flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, was also hit by a drone in the same area, added the Ukrainian Sea Ports Administration.
“Both ships suffered brief fires
which the crews quickly extinguished by their own means. According to initial information, no victims have been reported,” according to the same source.
Russia launched 524 combat drones and 22 missiles on Ukraine during the night from Sunday to Monday, targeting Odessa and Dnipro in particular, President Zelensky said.
