Seven dead as Russian missiles attack port infrastructure near Ukraine’s Odesa
· The Straits TimesSummary
- Russia attacked Odesa port infrastructure with ballistic missiles, resulting in seven deaths and fifteen injuries, according to Ukrainian officials.
- The attack targeted Pivdennyi, one of Odesa's three ports, which is crucial for Ukrainian grain exports and has been frequently attacked since February 2022.
- Recent intensified attacks damaged a bridge southwest of Odesa, disrupting routes to the Danube River port of Reni and complicating border crossings.
KYIV - A Russian missile attack late on Dec 19 on port infrastructure around Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa killed seven people and injured 15, Ukrainian officials said.
“In the late evening, Russia attacked port infrastructure in Odesa region with ballistic missiles,” Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba wrote on Telegram.
Mr Kuleba and Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper said that, according to preliminary reports, seven people were killed and 15 injured.
A source familiar with the matter said the attack was on Pivdennyi – one of three ports in the area.
Odesa, a focal point of Ukrainian grain and other exports, has been a frequent target of Russian attacks since Russia invaded its smaller neighbour in February 2022.
The intensity of the attacks has increased in recent days. One strike damaged a bridge south-west of Odesa and cut a major route between the city and the Danube River port of Reni and complicated border crossings to Moldova and Romania. REUTERS