Russia and Ukraine Exchange Strikes on Black Sea Ports

Russia and Ukraine exchanged further attacks in the Black Sea region overnight into Wednesday. A Russian strike on Odessa killed three people and hospitalized three others, according to local authorities, who also reported damage to residential buildings.

Moscow said it had struck the ports of Odessa and Chornomorsk, which it claims are used to transport supplies for the Ukrainian military. Russia’s Defense Ministry said precision-guided weapons and drones damaged port infrastructure, fuel depots and four vessels at the ports of Chornomorsk and Dnipro-Buh.

Ukraine, meanwhile, reported strikes on Russian-linked vessels in the Black Sea. Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, said Ukrainian drones hit 20 vessels overnight, including 17 oil tankers, two gas tankers and a tugboat.

Russia has intensified attacks on deep-water ports in the Odessa region in recent days. The facilities are vital to Ukraine’s foreign trade and the functioning of its wartime economy.

(Reuters, bak)