Ukraine Strikes Cargo Ships And Admits Romania Drone Blast As Putin Prepares For Key Speech

Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone campaign against Russian-controlled targets, striking cargo vessels in the Sea of Azov while also acknowledging that a Ukrainian maritime drone was responsible for an explosion at Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanța. The developments come as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to deliver a closely watched speech amid escalating tensions in the war.

Ukraine’s drone forces said they carried out overnight attacks on five vessels operating in and around the occupied ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk. According to Ukrainian officials, the targets included dry cargo ships and a tanker allegedly involved in transporting military supplies, fuel and grain from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. Ukrainian drone commander Robert Brovdi said the vessels were being used to support Russia’s war effort.

The attacks triggered international attention after Azerbaijan announced that five of its citizens were killed and three others injured aboard two vessels struck in the Sea of Azov. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said 25 Azerbaijani nationals had been aboard the ships at the time of the attacks, though the vessels themselves were not Azerbaijani-owned.

The strikes form part of Ukraine’s broader strategy of targeting Russian logistics networks and maritime infrastructure. In recent months, Ukrainian drones have struck oil terminals, tankers, military vessels and port facilities in both the Black Sea and Baltic Sea regions in an effort to disrupt Russian military supply chains.

Meanwhile, Romanian authorities were dealing with a separate security incident after a maritime drone exploded near an oil terminal in the port of Constanța, Romania’s largest Black Sea port. The blast prompted evacuations, emergency alerts and aerial surveillance operations, although no casualties were reported. Romanian officials said the drone self-detonated after security forces secured the area.

Later, Ukrainian military sources acknowledged that the drone belonged to Ukraine. According to Ukrainian officials, the unmanned naval vessel lost control after being affected by Russian electronic warfare systems while conducting operations in the Black Sea. Kyiv said it informed Romanian authorities about the situation in advance to minimize risks to civilians.

The incident marked the second major drone-related security event affecting Romania in less than two weeks. Last week, a drone identified by Bucharest as Russian crashed into an apartment building in the southeastern city of Galați, injuring two people and prompting renewed NATO discussions about strengthening air defenses along the alliance’s eastern flank.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan said the latest incident highlighted the growing security risks facing countries bordering the conflict. The European Union and NATO members have expressed concern that drone warfare in the Black Sea region could increasingly spill over into neighboring states.

The developments come as Putin prepares to address political and business leaders at a major economic forum in Russia. Earlier this week, Ukrainian drones struck infrastructure in St. Petersburg, including an oil terminal and naval facilities, shortly before the opening of the event. Analysts say Kyiv is attempting to demonstrate its ability to strike strategic targets deep inside Russia ahead of key public appearances by the Russian leader.

Despite ongoing diplomatic discussions, military activity on both sides has intensified. Russia has continued large-scale missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities, while Ukraine has expanded attacks against Russian energy facilities, ports, military assets and shipping routes. The growing use of aerial and maritime drones has transformed the conflict into one of the most technologically complex wars in modern history.

With civilian casualties reported in the Sea of Azov, security concerns spreading into NATO territory, and both sides escalating long-range attacks, the latest incidents underscore the widening regional implications of the war as it enters another volatile phase.

In an open letter to the Russian president, Zelensky said it would be “wrong to simply wait” until the war in Europe becomes the focus of the US’s attention once more, adding peace could only come “through direct engagement between” Ukraine and Russia.

He also called for a full ceasefire for the duration of proposed negotiations – something Putin ruled out earlier on Thursday.

The Kremlin confirmed it had received the letter. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state newspaper Izvestia that it was likely Putin would comment on it on Friday.

The European Union, France and the US are among those that have backed Zelensky’s calls for a meeting.

“I think it would be great if they met. They should. Get it done,” US President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday.

“I want them each to make certain compromises, and I think they’re going to do it.”