Russians strike Odesa region for third week
Russian troops continue to terrorize Odesa and the region, using UAVs and missiles. The intensification of Russian attacks observed over the past three weeks affects not only the security situation in the region, but also the operation of seaports.
According to the head of the Odesa regional military administration, Oleg Kiper, in the past week alone, about 30 people died due to Russian shelling in the Odesa region, and more than 80 were injured: “For the third week, Odesa has been under constant shelling. We practically have at least 10 airstrikes per day … The Russians are now actively shelling Odesa and the ports. They have been doing this for the last 4 years, especially since 2023, when the grain corridor was opened. This was their main goal – to disrupt the operation of the grain corridor, because it is our sea gate. But the massive shelling that is currently taking place, of course, creates problems and reduces the volume of imports and exports through the ports of the Odesa region. But we are working with the military so that normal work can be resumed.
Kiper added that they continue to work on strengthening air defense in order to shoot down more Russian missiles and UAVs, secure ships and resume shipping.
Vessels’ entry to ports temporarily suspended
On July 22, vessels’ entry to Ukrainian seaports was temporarily suspended due to the security situation. This was not Ukraine’s decision, it was the shipowners’ own reaction to the Russian Federation’s attacks on civilian foreign vessels. This was reported by the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Taras Vysotsky.
“On July 21, four or five vessels entered the ports. As of July 22, vessel entry was suspended. We as a state did not restrict anything on our part, this was the shipowners’ decision.”
The Minister noted that the situation is quite dynamic, so it is too early to assess the long-term consequences for exports. At the same time, according to him, the government is working on measures to ensure the stability of exports.
Ukraine insists on an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council
At the same time, Ukraine has already requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on July 27 in response to Russia’s attacks on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. This is stated on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiga notes that in the last few days alone, Russia has attacked at least three civilian cargo ships.
“Dozens of crew members have died or been injured. On July 23, not a single ship passed through the Ukrainian sea corridor in the Black Sea – just at the height of the harvest season. This is a deliberate act of economic and humanitarian terror. Just as Iran attacked energy routes in the Strait of Hormuz, Russia is now attacking global food markets in the Black Sea. If this terror continues, millions of families in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America could face rising food prices and famine. Ukraine has requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on July 27. We call on all states, especially those directly affected, to immediately demand that Russia stop its attacks on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. No country has the right to starve the world. Global pressure can stop Russian terror,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga.
Recall that the other day the Russians attacked a merchant ship under the flag of Guinea-Bissau, which arrived at one of the Odesa ports to load corn. It is known that 10 people died, including a Ukrainian pilot. At the same time, eight crew members were rescued.