Two crew members were killed and three others injured following a drone attack on a cargo ship in the southern Russian port of Rostov on Thursday, according to reports. The incident occurred as the United States Congress approved a defense budget that includes $400 million in annual aid to Ukraine for the next two years.
Local authorities reported that the Ukrainian drone strike targeted a tanker in the Rostov-on-Don port, resulting in fatalities and damage to the vessel.
Rostov region Governor Yuri Slyusar stated earlier Thursday that there were fatalities among the ship’s crew. He also reported damage to a residential building under construction in the western part of the city, and two private homes were burned down in a nearby town. Rostov-on-Don Mayor Alexander Skryabin also reported injuries via his Telegram channel.
Separately, at least 32 people were injured in Russian air strikes on the city of Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine on Wednesday night, according to Governor Ivan Fedorov. Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported that the Russian strikes targeted residential buildings, a school, and a company.
US Aid Package Approved
The US Congress approved a defense budget on Wednesday that includes $400 million in annual aid to Ukraine for the next two years. This measure, passed by both the House and Senate, will allow the Department of Defense to provide Ukraine with weapons to help defend itself amid the ongoing conflict.
The legislation now awaits President Donald Trump’s signature to become law. The bill also sets guidelines for US forces in Europe, requiring that the total number of permanently assigned troops in the European Command not fall below 76,000 for more than 45 days without following reporting procedures that justify any reduction.
Estimates suggest that more than 80,000 US troops were stationed in Europe this year, with numbers fluctuating due to rotations and exercises, especially since the start of the Russian intervention in Ukraine in early 2022.
