The Russian-Ukrainian war saw a rapid escalation over the past 24 hours, with both sides exchanging painful strikes, as Moscow bombarded the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and closed a waterway following a Ukrainian attack on 13 Russian oil tankers and oil refineries.
Moscow announced the temporary suspension of navigation through the Don-Azov Canal, the only waterway linking the Russian interior to the open seas, following a Ukrainian attack targeting 13 Russian vessels, including 10 oil tankers in the Sea of Azov.
Ukraine also launched drone attacks targeting oil refineries in southern Russia and the port of Taganrog on the Sea of Azov.
Russia responded to the Ukrainian attacks with ballistic missiles targeting Kyiv, as explosions were heard across parts of the capital. Moscow also carried out strikes with high-precision weapons targeting ports and logistics facilities in Ukraine's Odesa region.