Russia strikes two Ukrainian ships in the Black Sea, hits port of Mykolaiv

WASHINGTON, July 28 (Agencies): Russian forces struck on Tuesday at least two Ukrainian vessels, including a bulk carrier delivering military cargo in the Black Sea and a vessel in the port of Mykolaiv, the Russian Defence Ministry said.

It said it had also targeted the port of Mykolaiv itself.

"As a result of strikes using loitering munitions and attack drones, infrastructure facilities at the transhipment complex at the port of Mykolaiv used for the delivery and storage of military cargo, as well as fuel and lubricant tanks intended to supply the Ukrainian Armed Forces, were hit," the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

"In addition, in the strait (11 km east of Odesa), unmanned aerial vehicles struck a dry cargo vessel that was delivering military cargo to the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk," it said.

Russia and Ukraine have stepped up military activity in and around the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov in recent weeks, with each side attacking dozens of ships, including oil tankers and cargo vessels.

Meanwhile, More than 390 drones targeted the Moscow

region overnight, the Russian capital's mayor said on Tuesday.

"Between 8:30 pm (1730 GMT) and 6:30 am, more than 390 drones were flying towards the Moscow region. Most were neutralised by air defence forces well before reaching the city. 81 enemy UAVs were destroyed as they approached Moscow," Sergei Sobyanin wrote on Telegram.

However, the Russian defence ministry later said that a total of 356

Ukrainian drones had been downed over more than a dozen regions, including near the capital.

Neither the defence ministry or Sobyanin explained the discrepancy.

Moscow regional governor Andrey Vorobyov also reported that drone attacks damaged housing in the town of Chekhov and the Vaulovo village.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held closed-door talks with US counterpart Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, as Kyiv sought fresh diplomatic and military support in its fight against Russia.

Zelensky spent just over an hour with Trump, and while no details were immediately released, the talks came with Kyiv and Moscow intensifying long-range strikes and US-led diplomatic efforts to end the war stalled.

Relations between Zelensky and Trump have warmed since the start of the US president's second term, with Trump this month offering Kyiv licenses to produce Patriot air defense missiles and suggesting Ukrainian strikes inside Russia could help end the war.

More than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion, Zelensky is pushing for fresh supplies of anti-ballistic missiles, and a discussion on ways to revive diplomacy, a senior Ukrainian official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"Our number-one priority is anti-ballistic defense and strategic cooperation with America. Peace needs to be brought closer," Zelensky said on X after arriving in the United States.

Last month was the deadliest for Ukraine civilians since April 2022, according to the United Nations, as Russia increased its use of difficult-to-intercept ballistic missiles.

"It is crucial that Washington approve the purchase of a package of Patriot missiles. That is super important," the Ukrainian official said.

Zelensky also plans to attend a memorial ceremony for Republican senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Ukraine supporter who died unexpectedly this month at age 71.

Since returning to power early last year, Trump has ended direct deliveries of US arms to Kyiv in favor of a program allowing European countries to buy weapons for Ukraine.

Washington nevertheless remains a major ally, supplying intelligence and access to the Starlink satellite system used for battleground communications.

Relations between the two leaders have recovered since their extraordinary Oval Office confrontation in February 2025, when Trump accused Zelensky of ingratitude and "gambling with World War III."

At their latest meeting in Turkey this month, Trump praised Zelensky for doing "an amazing job" and offered Kyiv licenses to manufacture Patriot missiles.

Zelensky spoke last week with Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about how to "reinvigorate diplomacy" after the Middle East war pushed Ukraine talks down Washington's agenda.

Previous US mediation efforts foundered over Ukrainian territory claimed by Russia.

After the White House meeting and Graham memorial, Zelensky was expected to address senators at 6:00 pm (2200 GMT), shortly before an initial procedural vote on a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill.

Graham had spent more than a year championing the measure and reached an agreement with the White House on revised legislation shortly before his death.

The bill has 62 Senate co-sponsors, but some Democrats are uneasy about provisions that would expand Trump's power to impose tariffs on countries buying Russian energy.

Supporters hope a strong bipartisan vote will speed final passage and increase pressure on the House of Representatives, where the legislation faces deeper divisions.