Black Sea
During the night of August 16, a Spanish F-18 fighter jet shot down a drone that had entered Romanian airspace from the direction of Moldova. The debris fell in an uninhabited area of Galați County.
Fragments of a military drone were found on the beach at the Romanian resort of Saturn, after which the area was cordoned off and tourists were evacuated. An operation to retrieve the wreckage from the waters of the Black Sea is underway.
In the Lymanska community on the Black Sea coast, a 14-year-old boy went missing while swimming. The search is ongoing; police and rescuers are working at the scene.
Russian forces attacked Odesa, resulting in damage to infrastructure. Details of the incident are currently being clarified.
On the night of August 12, Russia launched missiles and 138 drones at Ukraine. Air defense forces shot down or suppressed 112 UAVs; hits were recorded at 16 locations.
Ukraine is considering transporting grain by rail through Moldova to the Romanian port of Constanța. Kyiv is asking Chișinău for a 50% discount on tariffs, while Moldova is demanding guarantees regarding volumes.
Record-low water levels on the Danube are limiting grain flows through Romania, while Russian strikes are diverting Ukrainian exports from Odesa. This is increasing costs and delays, threatening global food supplies.
The Unmanned Systems Forces struck an S-400 air defense missile system position in Gelendzhik, four air defense elements, and three vessels of Russia's shadow fleet in the Black Sea. SBS Commander Robert Brovdi confirmed the operation, noting that "the air defense downfall" will continue.
Russian forces attacked Odesa region with missiles and 202 drones overnight. The Defense Forces shot down 174 UAVs and 5 loitering munitions.
A drone of an undetermined type exploded in Bulgaria near the border with Romania. There were no casualties or damage, and an investigation is underway.
The General Staff confirmed the damage to the Ilsky and Syzran oil refineries, as well as to an observation post on the "Sivash" drilling rig. Fires broke out at the enterprises.
SBS Commander Robert Brovdi confirmed operations against 12 targets in the Black and Azov Seas as part of Operation "MoLoChKa". In total, 218 vessels were hit between July 6 and August 8.
Ukrainian and Polish services agreed on measures for the stable operation of the border due to the possible redistribution of freight flows. The parties agreed to strengthen coordination and increase the number of staff for customs clearance.
Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Ţoiu announced plans to import electricity from Ukraine due to record drought. Bucharest declared a state of emergency on the energy market and shut down one nuclear reactor.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine struck a base of Russian unmanned surface vessels in Crimea, four tankers, and five air defense elements. In total, since the beginning of the "MoLoChKa" operation, 205 vessels have been hit.
On the night of July 30, Russia launched Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles. The bulk of the missiles flew across Ukraine to the west, explosions occurred in Lviv.
In Odesa region, no signs of sea pollution by oil products were detected after the sinking of the vessel GOLDEN LEO attacked by the Russian Federation. Monitoring of the water area continues, services are ready to respond.
The National Bank of Ukraine is issuing a coin "Ukrainian Cotton. Marine drone "Sea Baby" with a face value of 5 hryvnias. The circulation is up to 75,000 pieces, sales start on July 30.
In Odesa region, constant monitoring of the Black Sea waters was introduced after the sinking of a corn-carrying vessel as a result of a Russian attack. Control has been strengthened due to a possible leak of fuel and lubricants.
The Russian Navy has formed the first unmanned systems regiment as part of the Northern Fleet. It is planned to create additional regiments and include a similar structure in the Pacific Fleet in 2027.
The vessel carrying corn sank after an attack by three Russian missiles on July 19. Ten people died.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha stated that Russian attacks on civilian shipping have been a systematic campaign of terror since 2022. He cited data on damage to 1,054 port infrastructure facilities and 232 civilian vessels.
Andriy Sybiha stated that the international community must respond to the escalation of aggression with new tough sanctions and increased economic pressure on Russia.
On the night of July 24, Russia struck Ukraine with five missiles and 180 drones. Air defense forces neutralized four missiles and 160 drones.
Ukraine has requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on July 27 due to russian attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea. Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha stated that russia is holding global food security hostage.
Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Robert Brovdi reported hitting 13 targets within the framework of the "MoLoChKa" operation, and not only.
Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Robert "Madyar" Brovdi stated that the Crimean Bridge is not being touched so that collaborators and Russians can leave the peninsula. He emphasized that there is no fuel in Crimea, which renders the Russian military machine inoperable.
India summoned a Russian diplomat, condemning the attack on the vessel MV Golden Leo, which resulted in the deaths of four Indian sailors. New Delhi emphasized the unacceptability of strikes on civilian shipping.
President Zelenskyy confirmed the operation of "long-range sanctions" against logistics facilities and an oil depot in the Moscow region. Also in the Black Sea, two tankers and four dry cargo ships were hit.
Commander of the SBS Robert Brovdi reported on night strikes against seven vessels, seven electrical substations, and six air defense elements. The total tally of operations from July 1 to 20 is 183 vessels, 103 power units, and 25 air defense units.