Tension has escalated in the Black Sea after Russian forces struck two cargo ships bound for the United States, killing one seafarer and injuring another, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack, which occurred on Friday, January 9, has drawn renewed accusations from Ukraine that Russia is deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, international shipping, and food logistics.
The strike on the vessels followed an intense overnight assault described as one of the largest barrages in the four-year conflict, and marked only the second reported use of Russia’s Oreshnik hypersonic missiles. First deployed in November 2024, the missile system is widely viewed as a tool of intimidation and a signal to Ukraine’s Western allies.
Reports indicate that hundreds of drones and missiles were launched across Ukraine, with Kyiv among the primary targets. Ukrainian emergency services confirmed that four people were killed and at least 25 others injured in the capital. The bombardment reportedly left nearly 6,000 apartment buildings without electricity and heating, prompting authorities to deploy portable boilers to hospitals and public facilities. The Qatari Embassy in Kyiv was also said to have sustained damage.
The latest developments underscore rising international concern over the safety of civilian shipping and the broader humanitarian impact of the ongoing war.
