Ukrainian authorities reported that a Chinese-owned cargo ship was hit by a Russian drone on Monday as it approached the port of Odesa in the Black Sea. The vessel, identified as the Ksl Deyang, was sailing under the Marshall Islands flag with a Chinese crew, according to the Ukrainian navy. It was en route to load iron ore concentrate at the Pivdennyi port in the Odesa region, Reuters reported, citing a source.
Details of the Attack
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a Russian drone struck the Chinese-owned vessel. The ship reportedly continued its journey after the attack. Ukraine's seaports authority said another vessel flying the Guinea-Bissau flag was also hit. Separately, Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper reported that a Panama-flagged civilian vessel heading to the Chornomorsk port was attacked. No injuries were reported; crews extinguished the resulting fires and the ships proceeded.
Zelenskyy on Russian Grain Exports
Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has observed Russian attempts to export grain from occupied Crimea involving US companies. He noted that Moscow is also seeking investment from democratic countries into its Arctic oil and gas projects.
Condemnation of Belarus Nuclear Drills
Ukraine's foreign ministry condemned tactical nuclear weapons drills in Belarus, calling them an unprecedented challenge to global security. The ministry warned that by turning Belarus into a nuclear staging ground near NATO borders, the Kremlin legitimizes nuclear proliferation and sets a dangerous precedent for authoritarian regimes. Kyiv urged Western allies to tighten sanctions against Moscow and Minsk.
Estonian Intelligence Assessment
Estonia's foreign intelligence chief said Vladimir Putin has few good options in Ukraine, as Russian forces cannot advance significantly and Western sanctions erode resources. Kaupo Rosin noted that Russia is losing more troops than it recruits, and general mobilization would be deeply unpopular. He urged continued sanctions pressure. However, another European intelligence chief, speaking anonymously, said there are growing signs of pressure on Russia but no indication of a change in Moscow's war calculus, describing Russian society as resilient.
US Sanctions Waiver Criticized
Democratic senators blasted the Trump administration's 30-day waiver on sanctions against Russian oil as an indefensible gift to Putin. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Elizabeth Warren stated that every dollar from the license helps finance the war against Ukraine. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued the waiver would stabilize crude markets and help energy-vulnerable countries. Analysts said the waiver might aid countries affected by Trump's Iran war but would do little to lower US gasoline prices or stabilize global markets.
Russian Drone and Missile Strikes
Russian drones struck critical infrastructure of Ukraine's energy firm Naftogaz in the Dnipropetrovsk region, destroying a filling station and injuring two employees. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 524 drones and 22 missiles on Monday, with air defense neutralizing 503 drones and four missiles. In Russia, drones were downed over Rostov and Belgorod regions, killing two people in Belgorod. In Lithuania, explosives found near a suspected Ukrainian drone debris were to be disposed of by detonation.
