The Ukrainian military said it struck about 28 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov overnight.

Axar.az reports that according to Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, additional reconnaissance is underway, and the final number of damaged vessels could increase.

Rostov Region Governor Yury Slyusar confirmed that four ships were damaged in the strait near Taganrog. He said at least one of the damaged vessels was a tanker and that one sailor was killed in the strike.

Ukraine also claimed that 76 tankers belonging to Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" have been hit over the past six days.

The Ukrainian side further said that, following a large-scale drone attack, Russia had closed the Azov-Don Shipping Canal.

"The Russian Border Service is no longer accepting new applications for vessels to pass through the canal linking the Don River with the Sea of Azov. Maritime traffic through the Kerch Strait has also been temporarily suspended," the statement said.

Earlier, Ukraine had reported striking 18 Russian vessels.