Russian forces struck Port Pivdennyi north of Odesa overnight on 22 December, setting fire to approximately 30 containers holding flour and vegetable oil, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba reported on Telegram. The attack marks the third consecutive day of strikes on Ukraine's largest port by cargo volume.
"Russia is trying to destroy maritime logistics by conducting systematic attacks on port and energy infrastructure," Kuleba said. Port workers and emergency services are working to contain the damage.
Three days, three strikes on the same port
The overnight attack follows a pattern of intensifying Russian strikes on Pivdennyi:
- 22 December: Fire erupts at food storage containers
- 21 December: Drone attack damages warehouses and port infrastructure, causes power outages
- 20 December: Strike hits fuel reservoirs on port territory
Port Pivdennyi handled 35.55 mn tons of cargo in 2024, making it Ukraine's busiest port on government-controlled territory. The facility plays a critical role in Ukraine's grain exports and wartime economy.
Power outages hit 120,000 households
The strikes on energy infrastructure left more than 120,000 subscribers in Odesa Oblast without electricity, Kuleba said. Emergency crews are conducting repair work, with critical infrastructure switched to backup power sources. Heat and water supply remain unaffected.
Russian forces also struck Odesa city twice overnight, damaging critical infrastructure and cutting power to parts of one district.
Russia's campaign against Ukraine's Black Sea access
The sustained assault on Pivdennyi comes as Russia continues targeting Odesa Oblast's maritime and transport infrastructure. Strikes earlier this week hit the Mayaky bridge over the Dniester—a critical link to Ukraine's Danube ports—killing a mother and prompting Moldova to close border crossings.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the attacks as "Russia's attempt to block Ukraine's access to maritime logistics" and called on the world not to remain silent.
