In recent days, Ukraine has faced a series of severe Russian attacks, resulting in damage to two bulk carriers in port, the death of one port worker, and injuries to five crew members. Ukrainian officials claim these attacks are a new strategy targeting shipping and export infrastructure to disrupt exports and food security.
On October 7, 2024, Ukraine’s military reported shooting down 18 Russian drones and two ballistic missiles, although some evaded air defenses. The governor of Odesa stated the attack lasted over four hours, causing damage to civilian infrastructure and a warehouse that caught fire, damaging trade equipment.
Russia, in turn, accused Ukraine of escalating its attacks. The Russian Defense Ministry reported shooting down 14 Ukrainian drones near the border and two more over the Black Sea. Ukraine claimed responsibility for attacks that caused fires at a major oil terminal in occupied Crimea. Russian sources confirmed a fire at the Feodosia facility, used to supply fuel to Russian forces, without acknowledging Ukrainian attacks.
These incidents followed consecutive days of attacks on port infrastructure around Odesa. Late Monday, Ukraine reported a Russian ballistic missile struck the Palau-registered cargo ship Optima (5,800 dwt), which had recently arrived in Odesa. Regional governor Oleh Kiper announced on social media that a 60-year-old Ukrainian port worker was killed, and five crew members were injured, four seriously and one lightly.
The vessel, managed from Greece and believed to be owned by Middle Eastern interests, had arrived to load foodstuffs. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksik Kuleba accused Russia of attempting to destroy Black Sea shipping to undermine food security, warning that the attacks would cause greater instability and disrupt food exports. Monday’s attack followed a missile strike on another cargo ship, Paresa (6,900 dwt), docked in Yuzhny (Pivdennyi) on Sunday, October 6. The St. Kitts and Nevis-registered vessel, also managed from Greece, had loaded 6,000 tons of corn bound for Italy. None of the 15 crew members from Syria and Egypt were injured, but the vessel sustained significant damage.
“This is already the twentieth civilian ship damaged by Russia’s attacks,” Kuleba stated, referencing a missile strike on another bulker last month carrying wheat for Egypt. British analysts suggested it might have been targeted by Russian forces in haste or error. Another vessel docked in Odesa was also damaged during a Russian attack in late September. The Russian defense ministry claimed some vessels were carrying arms for Ukraine.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine remains committed to continuing its vital exports. The Ministry of Reconstruction highlighted that over 2,500 ships carrying more than 70 million tons of cargo have left Ukraine’s ports in the 15 months since the sea corridor reopened following the collapse of the UN-brokered grain deal.