A Russian attack on a foreign-flagged cargo ship in southern Ukraine killed one sailor and injured three others on Oct 3. The strike was part of a wider operation that day in which Geran-4 jet-drones hit four commercial vessels across the western Black Sea, Chornomorsk Port in Odesa Oblast, and the Buh River Estuary. One of the targeted vessels in the estuary had remained stationary since 2022, according to maritime reports.

Ukraine's Finance Ministry estimates export losses from Russian strikes on ports and other infrastructure could reach $4.8B by year-end. This follows a pattern of escalation, including Oct 1 attacks on four dry cargo ships and a Kyiv logistics center, and a Sept 23 strike on a vessel flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda that killed its Ukrainian captain. Russia has also targeted warehouses in Odesa storing medical supplies and food.