Russian forces struck two U.S bound cargo ships on Friday, January 9, killing one seafarer and injuring a second crewmember, according to Ukrainian officials.
It comes as Ukraine continues to accuse Russia of “deliberately targeting civilian facilities, international shipping, and food logistics.”
The attack on civilian shipping came after an overnight barrage, which was one of the largest in the four-year war, and only the second time Russia has used its Oreshnik hypersonic missiles.
The hypersonic missile was first deployed in November 2024 and is seen as an attempt at intimidation and a message to Ukraine’s western allies.
Reports said hundreds of drones and missiles were launched against Ukraine, with Kyiv being one of the primary targets. Ukrainian emergency services are reporting four people were killed, and at least 25 were injured in Kyiv.
Nearly 6,000 apartment buildings were reportedly left without electricity and heating, and emergency services had brought in portable boilers to restore services at hospitals and public facilities. The Qatari Embassy in Kyiv was also reportedly damaged.
