In a major development in the war, Ukrainian forces have attacked two Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea using naval drones. These ships were part of what is often called Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which is used to avoid international sanctions. The strikes, which happened over the weekend, were a bold attempt by Ukraine to damage the finances that support Russia’s military. In a powerful response, Russia then launched a massive wave of missiles and drones against Ukrainian energy sites and residential areas. This retaliatory attack killed at least three civilians and left hundreds of thousands of people without electricity.
The sea attacks took place near the coast of Turkey, showing that the conflict is spreading into international waters. Ukrainian security forces are said to have used their locally made ‘Sea Baby’ drones to target the tankers. Video evidence confirmed that the explosive-packed drones blew up when they hit the ships. Although the attacks started fires, no crew members were reported hurt. The main goal was to disrupt the complex system Russia uses to sell its oil, which is a major source of money for its war effort.
At the same time, Russia began a large-scale air assault on many parts of Ukraine, especially near the capital, Kyiv. Starting on Friday night, Russia fired about three dozen missiles and almost six hundred drones. Ukrainian air defenses were largely successful, shooting down most of these weapons. However, because the attack was so large, some missiles got through and hit important power plants and apartment blocks. The consequences were severe, with over half a million residents in Kyiv losing power as winter weather sets in.
The human impact of the bombardment is still being calculated. The mayor of Kyiv confirmed that a 13-year-old child was among the 29 people injured in the city. Across the country, three people lost their lives. Repair teams worked non-stop to restore electricity, and within a single day, they had reconnected more than 360,000 homes in the Kyiv area. This shows how Ukraine’s emergency systems are becoming stronger.
Experts see these events as part of a cycle of action and reaction in the war. Ukraine’s daring sea strikes show it is increasingly able to challenge Russia in the Black Sea and target its economy. Russia, in turn, claims its attacks are aimed at military-industrial sites, but these continue to cause widespread damage to civilian life. As the war continues, the weekend’s events suggest a dangerous new stage where economic strength and the suffering of civilians are becoming key battlefields.