The Russian Defence Ministry announced on Monday, July 13th, that its forces had struck infrastructure used for transporting Ukrainian military cargo, causing substantial damage at the port of Chornomorsk near Odesa. The targeted facilities included unloading docks, fuel storage tanks, and an ammunition warehouse, according to Reuters. Additionally, Moscow claimed that its forces had hit a container ship and two ferries during the operation.
Following the air strikes, Ukrainian agricultural group Kernel Holding announced the suspension of its operations at Chornomorsk after its assets sustained severe damage. The company stated that the disruption followed a series of Russian missile and drone attacks carried out over the nights of July 10 to 12. While agricultural activities have been halted, Ukrainian authorities have not yet issued an official comment regarding the extent of the damage or casualties at the port.
The strikes at Chornomorsk occur amid rising tensions and threats of escalation in the four-year-long conflict between the two nations. Moscow has threatened to intensify its military operations as Kyiv continues to target Russian oil refineries and tankers. These Ukrainian drone attacks have intensified in recent weeks, causing acute fuel shortages within Russian territory and prompting retaliatory strikes on key Ukrainian transport and energy corridors.
