Russian drone strike damages Togo-flagged ship in Odesa Oblast, injuring four
Civilian vessel ablaze after the Russian attack, the Black Sea near Odesa, July 28, 2026 (Photo: REUTERS/Nina Liashonok)
Russian forces struck port infrastructure in Odesa Oblast overnight, damaging a civilian cargo vessel sailing under the flag of the Republic of Togo and injuring four people, regional governor Oleh Kiper reported on Aug. 17.
Four individuals were injured in the attack, with three requiring hospitalization. One of the victims remains in critical condition.
The Russian strikes also ignited several fires across the port area, which emergency responders fully extinguished.
Overnight into Aug. 17 (starting from 6 p.m. on Aug. 16), Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 128 UAVs — including Shahed strike drones (among them jet-powered variants), Gerbera drones, and Parodiya decoy drones — launched from Kursk, Oryol, Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, and temporarily occupied Donetsk, the Air Force reported.
As of 8:30 a.m., air defense units intercepted or suppressed 106 enemy UAVs across northern, southern, and eastern sectors of the country.
Enemy drone impacts were recorded at 14 locations, with falling debris confirmed at two additional sites.
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's maritime export corridors throughout the full-scale war. However, attacks against cargo vessels and deep-water ports facilitating vital grain exports have intensified sharply in recent weeks.
On July 17, Russian forces struck port infrastructure in Odesa Oblast, damaging a civilian vessel sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands.
On July 19, Russian strikes targeted the Guinea-Bissau-flagged civilian vessel Golden Leo near Odesa, killing 10 people.
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