The ships were located a short distance from Odesa.
The Russian Armed Forces, on the night of August 5, bombarded and struck two dry cargo ships carrying military supplies in the Black Sea, according to what was announced by the Ministry of Defense of Russia.
«The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continued to launch strikes on maritime vessels operating in the interests of the Ukrainian armed forces.
Yesterday night, strike unmanned aircraft (drones) struck in the waters of the Black Sea, south and east of Odesa, two commercial "dry cargo" type ships, which were carrying out delivery of military purpose cargoes», concludes the relevant announcement.
German cargo ship «Emil» struck
The bulk cargo ship «Emil», which belongs to the German shipping company Johann M. K. Blumenthal GmbH & Co. KG, is reported to be one of the two that were attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the maritime area of the Black Sea, as reported by the newspaper Bild.
According to the publication, the ship flew the flag of Liberia.
The incident occurred at a distance of approximately 21 nautical miles (almost 39 kilometers) off Odesa.
After the strike by the drones, a fire broke out on the ship, while subsequently a failure in its technical systems occurred.
The crew managed to evacuate the vessel in time, without casualties or injuries being recorded.
Successive strikes
This attack comes just a few hours after the latest strike by Russian forces that destroyed four dry cargo ships and two unmanned vessels of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to an announcement by the Russian Ministry of Defense, cited by the TASS agency on August 4.
«During the day, high-precision weapons and assault drones struck: <...> three dry cargo ships at the port of Mykolaiv, one dry cargo ship carrying military cargo in the Black Sea south of Odesa.
Additionally, two unmanned vessels of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were destroyed in the northern part of the Black Sea southeast of Ochakov», reports the announcement.
Ruthless war
The war in the Black Sea has evolved into one of the most critical and ruthless fronts of the conflict, where naval power measures itself against asymmetric technology.
Aeronautical attacks from both sides no longer concern simple military operations, but a relentless economic and strategic strangulation.
On one side, Russia systematically bombards commercial ships, ports, and grain infrastructure of Ukraine to cut Kyiv off from international markets and Western supply chains.
On the other side, Ukraine, utilizing advanced naval drones and long-range missiles, managed to neutralize a large part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, forcing Moscow into retreat and challenging in practice its absolute dominance in the waters of the region.
Russian strikes in the Black Sea - Targeting commercial shipping and infrastructure
Moscow's strategy in the Black Sea focuses on cutting off Ukraine's maritime corridors, obstructing grain exports, and impeding the supply chain.
Commercial ships & cargo
Russian forces use missiles (Iskander, Kh-22, Kh-31/59) and surveillance/assault drones (Shahed/Geran) striking dry cargo transport ships off Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Mykolaiv.
Russia justifies the strikes claiming that the ships transfer military equipment.
Port infrastructure & silos
Systematic bombardments against grain terminals, fuel warehouses, unloading cranes, and containers along the Danube (Reni, Izmail) and the ports of Odesa.
Maritime blockade
The escalation of attacks has rendered the Black Sea one of the most dangerous maritime areas for international shipping, causing a sharp rise in war risk premiums.
Ukrainian strikes - The destruction of the Russian Black Sea Fleet
Ukraine, without possessing a large-scale conventional navy, implemented an asymmetric tactic with naval drones (Magura V5, Sea Baby), Neptune missiles, Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG, and ATACMS.
The result was the neutralization of almost 1/3 of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the forced confinement of the remaining units in Novorossiysk.
Main Russian targets struck or sunk
Flagship Moskva (April 2022): Sinking of the guided missile cruiser with two Ukrainian Neptune missiles, the largest strike on a warship worldwide since 1982. Large landing ships: Saratov (March 2022 – Berdiansk). Novocherkassk (December 2023 – Feodosia). Caesar Kunikov (February 2024 – with Magura V5 drones). Minsk (September 2023 – Sevastopol dock).
Submarines & Corvettes: Submarine Rostov-on-Don (Kilo class – struck in Sevastopol). Corvette Askold (November 2023 – Kerch) and missile boat Ivanovets (January 2024).
Patrol vessel Sergey Kotov (March 2024).
Strategic infrastructure & Headquarters: Black Sea Fleet Headquarters (Sevastopol): Destruction of the building with cruise missiles (September 2023).
Kerch Bridge: Multiple strikes with booby-trapped trucks and Sea Baby naval drones.
Russian ports & refineries: Attacks with drones and missiles at the port of Taman, fuel facilities of Novorossiysk, and tankers of Russia's so-called shadow fleet.
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