On July 23, Ukrainian forces damaged the Russian railway ferry Slavyanin in the Port of Kavkaz, Russia. The strike will further complicate Russia's logistics in supplying its occupation forces in southern Ukraine and transporting liquefied petroleum gas.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the Slavyanin is the largest of three railway ferries operating in the Kerch Strait between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula.
British intelligence reports indicate that after Ukraine's successful missile strikes on May 29, 2024, which damaged two other railway ferries, Slavyanin was reintroduced as the sole operational railway ferry following a collision in late 2023. Additionally, vehicle ferries remain in operation. Before its redeployment, Slavyanin likely transported liquefied petroleum gas through the Kerch Port.