Russian Drone Strikes Damage Ports and Ships in Odesa Region

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Ports & Logistics Europe Accidents & Emergencies
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Russia carried out a new wave of drone attacks across Ukraine’s Odesa region on December 30, causing damage to port facilities and several civilian vessels.

Ukrainian authorities say the country continues to face almost daily drone and missile strikes, despite diplomatic efforts by the United States and Europe to push for a negotiated end to the Russo-Ukrainian war.

According to the Ukrainian navy, Russian drones struck two Panama-flagged ships, the Captain Karim, built in 2006, and the Emmarkis III, built in 2000, as they were entering a Black Sea port to load wheat. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba added that oil storage tanks were also hit during the attack.

The navy said the ports of Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi were the main targets. Both ports have taken on greater importance after the port of Odesa came under sustained attacks beginning in 2022. Despite the latest strikes, operations at both ports have continued.