Russia has launched a fresh wave of attacks on Ukraine's vital Black Sea ports, striking civilian ships preparing to load wheat in a move Kyiv condemns as a deliberate threat to global food supplies. The assault comes as Ukrainian forces continue to target Russian energy infrastructure, with drones damaging a key oil refinery and gas pipeline in Tuapse.
Ports and Civilian Ships Under Fire
On Tuesday, Russian drones attacked the Black Sea ports of Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk. The Ukrainian navy confirmed that two Panama-flagged civilian vessels, the Emmakris III and the Captain Karam, were hit as they arrived to load wheat. Officials stated that the ports continued to operate despite the assault, which also damaged oil storage tanks.
Ukraine, a major global agricultural exporter, accused Russia of committing a war crime. "Targeted strikes on civilian objects are a deliberate war crime," the navy said, adding the attacks "threaten the lives of civilians and undermine global food security."
Ukrainian Retaliation on Russian Energy Targets
In response, Ukrainian drones struck the Russian Black Sea port of Tuapse on Wednesday. Regional authorities reported damage to port infrastructure and a gas pipeline, with no injuries. The Tuapse refinery is a crucial outlet for Russian oil products, revenues from which help finance Moscow's war effort. This facility has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine also launched drone attacks on Tuesday targeting Moscow, western Russia, and annexed Crimea, injuring one person near the capital according to Russian reports.
Diplomatic Moves and Disputed Claims
Amid the escalating strikes, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are intensifying. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a meeting with allied leaders will be held in France on Tuesday, 6 January. This will be preceded by a meeting of security advisers in Ukraine this Saturday, 3 January.
French officials, commenting on the war, described Russia's intensified strikes as "an act of defiance" against US peace plans. They also dismissed Moscow's allegations of a Ukrainian drone attack on a residence of Vladimir Putin in Valdai, stating there was no "solid proof." President Zelenskyy confirmed the US had verified the claim as a fake.
In related developments, German prosecutors revealed they accepted a €10m payment to drop an investigation into Russian billionaire and Putin ally Alisher Usmanov for alleged EU sanctions violations. Separately, the US removed sanctions from Alexandra Buriko, the former CFO of Russia's Sberbank, after she argued she had severed ties with the bank.
