Russia on Tuesday claimed that its forces struck a bulk carrier allegedly transporting military cargo to Ukraine in the northwestern Black Sea, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict. According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, the attack also hit a tugboat in the port of Mykolaiv, as Moscow intensified strikes on Ukrainian ports and maritime infrastructure. Ukraine has not confirmed the Russian claims, while fighting on the ground also continued with fresh attacks reported in Sumy, where officials said residential areas were struck, injuring civilians. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington DC wherein he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump responded to Zelensky’s allegation that Russia was providing Iran with satellite imagery of U.S. bases, saying the claims would be examined. The United Nations has also warned that continued attacks on Black Sea ports and shipping threaten global food supplies and humanitarian operations.
