Russia Strikes Ukrainian Danube Port, Downs Drones Near Moscow
Al Jazeera Staff
Russian forces damaged port infrastructure in Izmail, a key Ukrainian grain export hub on the Danube River. Moscow said it shot down four drones targeting the capital. Heavy fighting continues despite a recent ceasefire deal.
Port infrastructure in Izmail, a crucial Ukrainian grain export center on the Danube River, was damaged in a Russian attack. Simultaneously, Russian officials reported downing four Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow.
Izmail, in the Odesa region, is a frequently targeted logistics hub hit early Tuesday morning. It is Ukraine's largest Danube port.
According to Odesa regional authorities, Ukrainian air defense destroyed nearly all Russian drones over open skies outside Izmail's residential areas, limiting civilian risk. The attack lasted from about 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. local time, with firefighters battling a blaze in a building with shattered windows.
A previous Russian attack on port infrastructure in Izmail occurred on the night of May 2.
In Kharkiv, two people were rescued and one may remain trapped under debris after a Russian drone attack, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram.
In Russia, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram that four drones heading toward the capital were shot down and emergency crews deployed. This followed a heavy Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow over the weekend, after which Russia struck Odesa and Dnipro, damaging residential buildings and wounding dozens.
In Russia's Kursk region, bordering Ukraine, a woman was killed and two wounded in a Ukrainian attack Monday evening, according to the Kursk regional operational headquarters on Telegram.
Southern Russia's Rostov region and Yaroslavl, northeast of Moscow—home to oil refining facilities—also reported drone attacks. Yaroslavl Governor Mikhail Yevrayev warned drivers heading toward Moscow about the drone threat.
The fighting persists despite a three-day U.S.-mediated ceasefire that Russia and Ukraine agreed to earlier this month, including a plan to exchange 1,000 prisoners for 1,000. Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire during and after the truce.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday evening for a two-day state visit to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking 25 years of the 2001 Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship and focusing on energy issues, including the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline.
Russia's Defense Ministry announced that its armed forces are conducting exercises from May 19 to 21 to prepare for nuclear force deployment. Over 64,000 troops and 7,800 military vehicles will participate, with ballistic and cruise missiles to be launched from Russian test sites, the ministry said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia's oil refining capacity has dropped 10% in recent months due to drone and missile attacks, adding, “Putin, of course, built a war fund, but certainly not enough to fight indefinitely.”
