Cargo Ship Ignites During Overnight Russian Strike on Odessa

A Lebanese flagged dry cargo ship caught fire after being struck during a large Russian drone and missile barrage on the Ukrainian port city of Odessa and surrounding regions overnight into the morning of December 23. The incident highlights the continued escalation of Russian attacks on southern Ukraine, which have caused extensive power outages and damage to port infrastructure.

Ukrainian officials stated that Russia launched at least 650 drones along with several dozen missiles in the latest assault. The vessel was in the process of loading soybeans at the Port of Odessa when it was hit.

According to Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction, Oleksii Kuleba, no injuries were reported in Odessa despite strikes on port facilities, transport links, civilian areas and energy infrastructure.

This intensification of attacks comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia aims to cut off Ukraine’s access to the sea, citing Ukrainian drone attacks on tankers tied to Russia’s so called “shadow fleet” operating in the Black Sea.