On July 14 2026 Ukraine sent drones at 11 Russian ships in the Sea of Azov. A wave of strikes followed weeks of similar attacks on vessels. Russia shut the shipping lanes quickly and called the strikes acts of terror. Kyiv reported it hit more than 100 ships in a week, with most badly damaged. Key export paths are now blocked for traders. Major outlets and Al Jazeera say new route talks are now under way. Moscow warned it will respond but Ukraine kept up strikes on Azov ships that day.