Russia strikes Pivdennyi port near Odesa, hits ship and power substation
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Russian forces struck the Pivdennyi port in Odesa region with high-precision air weapons and drones, hitting a ship carrying fuel and lubricants for Ukrainian forces. The attack also damaged the PS-330 Adjalik substation that supplies electricity to the port, causing fires at several sites. The strikes came two days after President Vladimir Putin warned Ukraine would face retaliation for attacks on Russian economic facilities.
Key Facts
- Russia's Defense Ministry said the strikes destroyed 10 military equipment depots in the port's logistics zone and facilities used for unloading and storing military shipments.
- Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper confirmed energy infrastructure in the region was attacked overnight, causing fires at several locations.
- The European Commission approved €6.1 billion ($7.12 billion) in additional financial aid for Ukraine to purchase air defense systems, missiles, ammunition, and radar systems.
- The new EU aid package adds to a previously approved €16 billion procurement plan, of which €8.35 billion has already been disbursed.
- Putin said on Saturday that Ukraine had "opened the gates of hell upon itself" by attacking Russian economic targets.
The Strike
Russia's Defense Ministry said the attack used high-precision air weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles against the Pivdennyi port, also known as Yuzhny, in Odesa region. A vessel carrying fuel and lubricants for Ukrainian forces was hit, according to the ministry. The ministry also claimed destruction of 10 military equipment depots in the port's logistics zone and facilities used for unloading and storing military shipments. The PS-330 Adjalik substation, located about 28 kilometers northwest of Odesa and supplying electricity to Pivdennyi port, was struck. Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper confirmed overnight attacks on regional energy infrastructure and reported fires at multiple sites.
Black Sea Pressure
The strikes are part of intensifying Russian pressure on Ukraine's Black Sea ports, which are key export routes for grain and other agricultural products. Kyiv says the attacks threaten Ukraine's capacity to export grain and other goods via the Black Sea. Odesa port is one of Ukraine's largest and most strategically important Black Sea ports, with an annual capacity of about 40 million tons. The attacks came two days after Putin warned that Ukraine's strikes on Russian economic facilities would be answered by targeting the "most sensitive sectors" of Ukraine's economy.
EU Aid Package
The European Commission on Monday approved €6.1 billion ($7.12 billion) in additional financial aid for Ukraine to purchase new defense systems. The package is intended for procurement of air defense systems, missiles, ammunition, and radar systems. The new aid supplements a previously approved €16 billion procurement plan, of which €8.35 billion has already been disbursed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said European support would be increased to help Ukraine protect its airspace and people amid the escalation of Russian attacks.
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Russia strikes Pivdennyi port near Odesa, hits ship and power substation
