February 24, 2022: according to Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), two Russian commercial cargo ships, "SGV-Flot" and "Serafim Sarovsky", were hit by a missile strike from the city of Mariupol, Ukraine in Azov Sea.

The incident occurred at 11AM on February 24. "SGV-Flot" oil cargo ship was damaged and caught fire. However, the fire on board was extinguished, and both ships continued their way. One crewmember of "SGV-Flot" received severe injuries and was evacuated.

Earlier this morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in Ukraine in response to a request from Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. It is carried out to stop the war that had continued in Donbass area for the last eight years, to demilitarize Ukraine, to liberate Ukraine from neo-Nazis, and to protect the people in the eastern part of the country suffering from genocide by Kiev-backed militias.

Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russian forces do not target Ukrainian cities, adding that they eliminate military infrastructure with precision strikes. Civilians are not in danger, the Ministry said.