Russia Strikes Ukraine’s Largest Danube Port

Russian forces attacked the area around Izmail, Ukraine’s largest Danube port, overnight, causing damage and a fire, according to regional authorities.

Izmail is located in the Odesa region near the Romanian border and is an important hub for exports of grain and other commodities. The strike came a day after Ukraine attacked Novorossiysk, a major grain export hub and naval base on Russia’s Black Sea coast. The attack damaged two grain terminals, according to recent reports.

Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union, responded by scrambling two F-16 fighter jets. The Romanian Defense Ministry said one aerial target entered Romanian airspace and remained there for approximately ten minutes, flying along the Chilia branch of the Danube before returning towards Ukraine. Explosions were reported on Ukrainian territory shortly afterwards.

(Reuters, bak)