Russia strikes the blocked ships in Mykolaiv for the second and third time: the Navy reveals the true objective

Russian occupying forces are again attacking civilian vessels that have remained blocked for years in the ports of Mykolaiv and Mykolaiv Oblast. Such strikes give the enemy no military advantage, but allow Russian propaganda to report the alleged destruction of Ukrainian maritime logistics. This was August 4, 2026 on the air of the national telethon, said spokesman of the Ukrainian Navy of the Armed Forces, Dmytro Pletenchuk.

According to him, recently the Russians have begun to strike for the second or even third time at vessels that have long been abandoned by their owners or have been moored at berths in the ports of Mykolaiv region since the beginning of the full-scale war. They do not conduct voyages and do not take part in cargo transportation due to the difficult security situation.

“There is no military rationale in this at all”, – stressed Dmytro Pletenchuk.

In the view of the Navy spokesman, Russia is trying to create for the domestic audience the picture of an alleged successful destruction of Ukrainian logistics and obstruction of cargo deliveries. At the same time, this version contradicts years of statements by Russian propaganda itself that the ports of Mykolaiv are blocked and full sea connections with the city are not being carried out. Even within the Russian Z-community, according to Dmytro Pletenchuk, people have begun to question the point of spending strike drones on vessels that have not left the ports and have not conducted commercial operations for years.

The Navy spokesman drew attention to the obvious contradiction in Russian propaganda reports about alleged sea deliveries of military cargo to the blockaded Mykolaiv ports.

“Any sensible person understands that delivering anything by sea to Mykolaiv now looks, at the very least, strange”, – noted Dmytro Pletenchuk.

The Russians have systematically attacked the port infrastructure of Mykolaiv and Mykolaiv district over the past weeks. During August 2 and on the morning of August 3, 2026 the occupiers damaged 3 civilian vessels. Another vessel was damaged on the morning of August 1, and during strikes on July 24 and 25 at least 4 civilian vessels were damaged.

The most severe consequences were recorded on July 17, 2026, when Russian strike drones attacked the port infrastructure of Mykolaiv. Civilian vessels under foreign flags were damaged, and 2 Ukrainian citizens died aboard one of them.

Earlier we wrote:

• A couple wounded, husband in serious condition: Russians damaged a lyceum and three civilian vessels
• No rockets for Patriots: while partners delay, Russia strikes ports and residential buildings
• Enemy drones damaged civilian vessels and a warehouse in Mykolaiv region
• Russians again struck the port in Mykolaiv region: civilian vessels, garages and cars damaged
• Four civilian vessels as “military targets”: Russian attack claimed two lives in Mykolaiv