Russia escalates attacks on key Ukrainian region of Odesa

Russia has stepped up its military campaign against Ukraine’s Odesa region, launching systematic attacks on key ports and energy facilities, Ukrainian authorities report. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba described Moscow’s offensive as a deliberate attempt to cripple maritime logistics and disrupt critical infrastructure in the crucial Black Sea port area.

Overnight strikes damaged energy installations, cutting electricity supplies to over 120,000 customers across the region as emergency crews work to restore power amid continued air-raid alerts. Major facilities in Odesa Oblast belonging to energy operators such as DTEK were hit, complicating restoration efforts during winter.

In the port of Pivdennyi, around 30 containers loaded with flour and vegetable oil caught fire after bombardment, and emergency services are tackling the blaze. The ongoing assault also threatens transport routes and logistics infrastructure that support Ukraine’s export economy.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has linked repeated strikes to Russian efforts to block Ukraine’s access to maritime trade and logistics, citing broader strategic objectives. Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow might sever Ukraine’s access to the sea in retaliation for Kyiv’s attacks on vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea.

The intensification of attacks underscores rising tensions in southern Ukraine, where port facilities and energy infrastructure have faced persistent bombardment, raising concerns about winter power stability and economic impact.