Russian forces have struck a cargo vessel in the Black Sea that was allegedly being used to supply the Ukrainian military, Russia’s Defence Ministry said, as attacks on shipping and port infrastructure intensify across the region.

According to Russian news agencies, the ministry said on Thursday that its forces had targeted the vessel as part of ongoing military operations against Ukraine’s supply networks.

The ministry did not immediately provide further details about the ship’s identity, the extent of the damage or possible casualties. The claim could not be independently verified.

The reported strike comes amid a broader escalation of attacks on cargo vessels, port facilities and logistics infrastructure connected to Ukraine’s military supply routes.

On Sunday, Russia’s Defence Ministry said its drones had struck two cargo vessels linked to Ukrainian ports, including one heading towards Chornomorsk and another travelling towards Odesa. Moscow claimed the ships were being used to supply the Ukrainian army, although independent verification was not available.

Russian forces also reportedly targeted logistics centres and terminals in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which Moscow said were being used to store and distribute goods intended for military purposes.

Earlier this month, Russia said it had struck two Ukrainian cargo vessels in the Black Sea, including a ship allegedly carrying military equipment, as well as fuel storage facilities at the port of Chornomorsk.

The latest reported attack comes amid mounting concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea, where Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports and Ukrainian attacks on Russian maritime and energy infrastructure have increased the risks facing civilian vessels.

On Wednesday, Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler warned Moscow and Kyiv against attacks on commercial shipping, saying Ankara reserved the right to take legal action if Turkish-flagged or Turkish-owned vessels were targeted.

Güler said Türkiye had repeatedly urged both sides to keep civilian shipping out of the conflict and was awaiting responses to a proposal aimed at protecting maritime traffic and ensuring the safe transportation of grain.

The warning followed an attack by three naval drones on a Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged container ship in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone on Wednesday. All 18 crew members were evacuated safely, although the vessel was reportedly badly damaged.

The identity of those responsible for that attack remains unclear.

Türkiye, Romania and Bulgaria have also agreed to prioritise the protection of critical undersea infrastructure and continue their joint mine-clearing efforts in the Black Sea.

The increasing frequency of maritime attacks has raised concerns that the conflict could further threaten international trade and maritime security beyond Ukraine’s coastline.

The Black Sea is a key route for agricultural exports, energy shipments and other commercial cargoes. Disruptions to shipping can increase insurance premiums, raise transport costs and expose civilian crews to heightened risks.

NATO has announced additional surveillance and reconnaissance support for the region amid concerns over the growing number of attacks on merchant vessels and the potential spillover of the conflict into alliance members’ maritime zones.

With Russia continuing to target Ukrainian port and logistics infrastructure and Ukraine intensifying attacks on Russian-linked shipping and export facilities, commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea face an increasingly dangerous environment.

The latest reported strike underscores the growing overlap between military supply operations and commercial maritime traffic in the region, raising further questions about the protection of civilian shipping as the war continues. (ILKHA)