Ukraine is complaining about Russian attacks on the port city of Odessa for the second night in a row – apparently with considerable damage. The government is now talking about deliberate destruction of Ukrainian grain infrastructure.
Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting Ukraine’s export infrastructure after the end of the grain deal. After the renewed night shelling of the southern Ukrainian port of Odessa, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram: “Russian terrorists are absolutely deliberately targeting the infrastructure of the Grain Agreement, and every Russian missile is a blow not only to Ukraine, but to everyone in the world who… strive for a normal and safe life.” The military had been instructed to better protect the port infrastructure.
Zelenskyy’s adviser Mykhailo Podoliak also spoke of targeted attacks by Russia on grain terminals in order to prevent Ukraine from exporting grain. “Today’s massive attacks highlight Russia’s stance on food security, African states, the UN and the prospect of global famine,” he said on Twitter.
Moscow confirmed the new attacks
Regarding the attacks on Odessa, the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure announced that grain terminals and facilities in the ports of Odessa and Chornomorsk had been damaged. The night before, however, the attacks were aimed at piers and warehouses in the port of Odessa.
In Moscow, the Ministry of Defense confirmed the new attacks on Odessa from planes and warships. Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov, however, claimed that in the city area objects of military industry, fuel plants and ammunition depots were under fire.
The mayor of Odessa, Hennady Trukhanov, complained about the intensity of the shelling on Facebook: “We have not experienced such a large attack since the large-scale (Russian) invasion began.” Residential buildings were damaged, but according to the authorities there were no fatalities. However, at least one person was injured.
According to Ukraine, 60,000 tons of grain destroyed
Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky also confirmed “significant” damage to infrastructure at the port of Chornomorsk, south of Odessa. He said the attacks destroyed 60,000 tons of grain that should have been loaded and shipped several days ago.
Military targets and important infrastructure facilities were also hit, the Ukrainian Air Force said. In total, the Russian army deployed over 31 rockets of different types in the morning. A little more than half could not be intercepted. Of the 32 Russian combat drones deployed, 23 were shot down.
conflicting parties as a source
Information on the course of the war, shelling and casualties provided by official bodies of the Russian and Ukrainian conflict parties cannot be directly checked by an independent body in the current situation.
Russia warned against further grain exports
The grain agreement, which Russia had not renewed, expired on Monday. The agreement allowed Ukraine to export grain across the Black Sea despite the war. Zelenskyy had announced that he wanted to export grain by sea even without security guarantees – but Russia warned against this.