On July 14 2026 Ukraine launched strikes at 11 Russian ships in the Sea of Azov. A series of strikes followed repeated similar attacks on vessels. Russia shut the shipping lanes fast and called the strikes acts of terror. Kyiv reported it hit over a hundred ships in eight days, with most badly damaged. Key export paths are now blocked for traders. Reuters and Al Jazeera say new route talks are already under way. Moscow stated it will respond but Ukraine continued strikes on Azov ships that day.