Ukraine says Russian forces hit a civilian vessel near port of Odesa
Russia has attacked a civilian ship near the Black Sea port of Odesa, Kyiv has said, hours after Vladimir Putin vowed a powerful retaliation to Ukrainian attacks on its territory, reports BritPanorama.
The Russian president stated that Moscow would respond to Ukrainian strikes with retaliatory actions that would be “several times more powerful,” indicating an escalation in the scale of such responses.
This comes as Moscow’s economy faces increasing strain due to Kyiv’s long-range attacks on refineries, tankers, and terminals, which have created widespread fuel shortages.
No casualties have been reported in the attack, according to Ukrainian navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk.
Moscow has also launched fresh attacks on Kyiv, causing fires in several parts of the city, as air alerts sounded in the early hours. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that drone debris hit an open area in an eastern suburb, igniting vehicles, while regional governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed six people were injured outside Kharkiv.
As the conflict persists, analysts suggest Ukraine’s advances in drone technology may provide it a competitive edge against Russian forces, impacting the dynamics of the ongoing war.