According to Reuters, another missile attack by Russian forces on Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa on 13 October resulted in the loss of one life, impacting two civilian vessels and a grain storage facility.
This assault tragically claimed the life of one individual and left at least eight others injured, as reported by Ukrainian authorities. The attacks have intensified in recent weeks, particularly targeting Ukraine’s southern port infrastructure, which has led to increased insurance rates due to the rising risks associated with such strikes.
One of the vessels affected in the latest attack was the Palau-flagged bulk carrier, Optima, which had previously sustained damage from a ballistic missile strike the week before. The attack also impacted a Belize-flagged civilian vessel and further compromised grain storage facilities in the area.
According to Reuters, Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, stated that “the port infrastructure once again became the enemy’s target,” highlighting the ongoing threat to civilian life and resources. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba noted that all those injured were civilians, with two sustaining serious injuries.
The situation remains dire, with Ukraine reporting that Russia has conducted nearly 60 attacks on its ports in the past three months, leading to damage and destruction of approximately 300 port infrastructure facilities and 22 civilian vessels, as reported by Reuters.
