In Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, maritime infrastructure is increasingly coming under attack. Just recently, Russian drones attacked ports in the Odessa Oblast. Several people were injured.
“The intensity of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s port infrastructure continues to increase,” the Ukrainian Ministry of Reconstruction said. “In August alone, Russia carried out five attacks on port facilities, as well as three attacks on civilian vessels in ports and two attacks on vessels travelling through the Ukrainian maritime corridor.”
The most recent strike took place on Monday in the Odessa Oblast, although the ministry did not specify the exact port. A tugboat is reported to have been struck by a Shahed drone, causing a fire. This followed an earlier attack in the Mykolaiv region, in which at least one vessel that had been stranded in the port since the start of the war is reported to have been hit.
In July, there were a total of 67 attacks on seaport facilities. According to the Ministry of Reconstruction, a total of 35 ships were attacked in Ukrainian ports, whilst a further 22 ships were travelling through the maritime corridor. The attacks are now spreading from the Greater Odessa region as far as the ports on the Danube. A total of ten people are reported to have been injured. All received medical treatment.
The Ministry went on to state that Russia is now “systematically” attacking civilian vessels as well, including those that are already damaged or out of service. There have been multiple strikes on berths. The aim of these attacks is “clearly” to intimidate international shipowners. At the same time, they are intended to disrupt the operational readiness of Ukrainian ports and undermine general confidence in civilian shipping.
“Despite the daily threats, work in Ukrainian ports continues,” the Ministry said. Specialised staff are ensuring operations continue whilst responding to the Russian attacks. “The systematic strikes against port infrastructure and the civilian fleet are not only a threat to Ukraine,” the statement continued. “They also have a direct impact on the stability of international logistics, freedom of navigation, world trade and the global food supply.”
However, Ukraine is not defenceless: the country’s drone forces have attacked the Russian fleet in the Sea of Azov on several occasions in recent weeks. The USF military unit reported more than 100 successful operations.
