Russia says drones hit Ukrainian logistics hub in Rivne and a ship bound for Chornomorsk
In short
Russia's defence ministry said its forces again used drones on 21 October against Ukrainian logistics centres, port infrastructure and ships carrying military cargo. It said a logistics centre in Rivne and a dry cargo ship heading for Chornomorsk port were hit. The documents carry no Ukrainian comment on these claims.
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Russia's defence ministry said its forces continued to use drones on 21 October against Ukrainian logistics centres, port infrastructure and sea vessels carrying military cargo, according to reports by CLS and China News Service. Yicai carried the same statement as a headline. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
CLS reported that the ministry said a logistics centre in the Ukrainian city of Rivne had been hit. The ministry said the centre was used to store and distribute cargo for Ukrainian forces. It also said a dry cargo ship was hit while at sea, heading to Chornomorsk port to deliver supplies for Ukrainian forces. The documents give no Ukrainian response to these claims. [ 2 ]
An earlier CLS report, published on 21 October, covered the ministry's account for 20 October. The ministry said Russian forces had used drones that day against logistics centres, port infrastructure and ships carrying military cargo to Ukraine, and had taken control of a settlement in the Zaporizhzhia region. [ 1 ]
Ukraine's General Staff said on 20 October that 206 clashes took place along the front in the past day and that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks in several directions. CLS also reported that Budanov, head of the Ukrainian president's office, denied on 20 October the claim that Russian forces had taken control of the city of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The reports show Russia describing ports and logistics sites as targets in its drone campaign. All the information on the strikes comes from the Russian defence ministry as relayed by Chinese outlets, so it is not independently verified in the documents.
Key facts
- Russia's defence ministry said its forces continued to use drones on 21 October against Ukrainian logistics centres, port infrastructure and ships carrying military cargo. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The ministry said a logistics centre in Rivne, used to store and distribute cargo for Ukrainian forces, was hit. [ 2 ]
- The ministry said a dry cargo ship was hit at sea while heading to Chornomorsk port with supplies for Ukrainian forces. [ 2 ]
- In its report for 20 October, the ministry also said Russian forces had taken control of a settlement in the Zaporizhzhia region. [ 1 ]
- Ukraine's General Staff said there were 206 clashes along the front on 20 October and that Ukrainian troops repelled Russian attacks in several directions. [ 1 ]
- Budanov, head of the Ukrainian president's office, denied on 20 October that Russian forces had taken the city of Dobropillia in the Donetsk region. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the Rivne logistics centre and the dry cargo ship were hit as the ministry described Only the Russian defence ministry's account, relayed by CLS, describes these strikes; no Ukrainian response appears in the documents.
- Whether Russian forces control Dobropillia CLS reported that Budanov denied the claim that Russian forces had taken the city; the documents do not give the Russian claim in detail.
- Which settlement in the Zaporizhzhia region Russia says it took The CLS report does not name it and gives no Ukrainian response.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS reported the Russian ministry's 20 October account, the Ukrainian General Staff's figures and Budanov's denial on Dobropillia. [ 1 ]
- CLS reported the ministry's statement that a Rivne logistics centre and a dry cargo ship were hit. [ 2 ]
- China News Service reported the ministry's statement on continued drone strikes. [ 3 ]
- Yicai published a headline on the ministry's statement. [ 4 ]