In a harrowing escalation of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the toll on naval vessels has reached alarming proportions, with numerous ships either damaged, sunk, or captured since the invasion began. As the war enters its fourth week, both military and civilian maritime assets have fallen victim to relentless Russian assaults, underscoring the dire consequences of this brutal conflict.

The first significant strike occurred on February 24, when the Turkish-owned bulk carrier Yasa Jupiter was hit by a Russian missile in the Black Sea near Odessa. Reports indicate severe damage to the vessel’s bridge, marking the onset of a maritime nightmare. Just a day later, the Millennial Spirit, a tanker laden with diesel, was shelled by Russian warships, forcing its crew to abandon ship amid chaos. Fortunately, all twelve crew members were rescued by Ukrainian authorities.

As Russian forces advanced, the port of Berdyansk fell under their control, leading to the capture of several Ukrainian naval vessels, including the patrol ship R-186, which was abandoned by its crew. The situation worsened with the capture of the Yuri Oliverenko, a mid-sized landing ship, and the last of the Matka-class hydrofoil missile boats, both now under Russian control.

Tragedy struck on March 2, when the Bangladeshi bulk carrier was struck by a missile, resulting in a fire that claimed the life of one crew member. The Italian-owned cargo ship Held sank after reportedly hitting a mine, with some crew members reported missing and others captured.

The Ukrainian flagship, the Hetman, was scuttled on March 3 to prevent capture, while the Sloviansk patrol vessel met a tragic fate, reportedly sunk by a Russian airstrike. As the conflict rages on, over 100 foreign-flagged vessels remain stranded in Ukrainian ports, caught in the crossfire of a maritime war that shows no signs of abating. The stakes have never been higher as the world watches this unfolding maritime crisis with bated breath.