Russia’s Intensified Attacks on Odesa Port Threaten Ukraine’s Economy

POLICY WIRE — Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials reported on Tuesday that Russia has targeted port export facilities in the Odesa region, causing substantial damage to a Romania border crossing and disrupting logistics and exports.

The intensified missile and drone attacks on foreign-flagged civilian vessels in the southern Odesa port hub have led to a halt in shipping, threatening export revenue losses of 2.5 billion dollars. Alternative export routes via the Danube and overland are insufficient to compensate for the lost capacity.

The grain corridor, a critical Black Sea shipping route handling 90% of Ukraine’s agricultural exports, remains under significant strain. A Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa has resulted in eight deaths and 27 injuries, according to Ukraine’s emergency service.

Ukraine’s energy ministry confirmed that Russia attacked power facilities in the Odesa region, causing a substantial number of residents to lose electricity overnight. The attacks aim to choke Ukraine’s economy and increase Moscow’s leverage over major grain importers in Africa and Asia.

Oleh Khomenko, CEO of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB), noted that the Odesa port hub handles about 90% of the country’s exports. Nearly 400 port infrastructure facilities have already been damaged or destroyed, with only three seaports in the Odesa region still operating.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)