Russian forces attacked port, export and energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region overnight, according to Ukrainian officials. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes had deliberately damaged a border crossing with Romania as well as export infrastructure.

Ukraine’s border service reported that the attack damaged the ferry checkpoint at Orlivka, temporarily suspending passage for people and vehicles. The strikes also caused a fire in a residential building, injuring one person, and damaged energy facilities.

Russia has sharply increased the number and intensity of drone attacks on export infrastructure in the Odesa region in recent months, home to the major Danube ports of Reni and Izmail. Russian strikes have effectively blocked Ukraine’s seaports, forcing Kyiv to divert cargo through lower-capacity Danube ports and railway crossings on its western border.

Repeated air-raid alerts and attacks are significantly disrupting rail operations in the region. The Odesa region recorded more than 300 alerts in August alone, lasting a combined 238 hours. Despite the disruption, national railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia reported that it had increased grain deliveries to Danube ports for export.

(Reuters, max)