MOSCOW, Aug. 7 -- For the second consecutive night, Russian unmanned aerial vehicles targeted supply routes across the Black Sea, striking three dry cargo ships loaded with military equipment destined for Ukrainian forces, the Russian Defense Ministry announced Friday.

The ministry said the overnight attacks were part of an ongoing series of strikes on vessels "involved in the interests of the armed forces of Ukraine" - a designation that places the ships in a military category regardless of their flag or civilian registration. No ship names, nationalities, or damage assessments were disclosed in the statement.

Three ships in a single overnight operation, following two struck on Thursday, means the Black Sea maritime corridor has absorb...