Russia has increased its military operations in the southern Ukrainian region of Odesa. This intensification has resulted in widespread power outages and potential threats to the region's maritime infrastructure.
Official Statements
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba described the attacks as "systematic" and indicated a potential shift in the conflict's focus towards Odesa. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that these repeated actions aim to impede Ukraine's maritime logistics capabilities. In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin had communicated an intent to disrupt Ukraine's sea access, citing retaliation for drone attacks on Russian "shadow fleet" tankers in the Black Sea.
"Shadow Fleet" Defined
The term "shadow fleet" refers to numerous tankers reportedly utilized by Russia to circumvent Western sanctions implemented after the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Recent Incidents
On a recent Sunday night, strikes in the Odesa region caused electricity disruptions for approximately 120,000 individuals and initiated a fire at a significant port, resulting in the destruction of multiple containers holding flour and vegetable oil. This incident is part of an ongoing series of strikes that have led to prolonged power supply interruptions and casualties in the region.
Prior to this, a ballistic missile strike on the Pivdenniy port, located east of Odesa, resulted in eight fatalities and at least 30 injuries. Earlier in the same week, another attack killed a woman traveling with her three children and temporarily severed the Odesa region's sole bridge connecting Ukraine and Moldova.