Key facts
- Russia's Defense Ministry claims to have intercepted and destroyed 502 Ukrainian drones overnight.
- Russia stated it struck fuel storage facilities in the port of Odesa.
- Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russian attacks on Odesa's seaport target global food security.
- Odesa's seaport sustained damage from a Russian strike, according to Ukrainian authorities.
- Russian forces also reportedly targeted drone production workshops and warehouses in Odesa.
Russia's Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that its forces intercepted and destroyed 502 Ukrainian drones overnight across various regions. The ministry also stated that it hit a fuel depot in the port of Odesa, claiming the facility was used to supply the Ukrainian army. Reuters could not independently verify these assertions.
Ukraine and Russia accused each other of lethal attacks on Sunday. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Moscow was targeting global food security by striking Odesa's seaport, which he said sustained damage. Local authorities reported that dozens of drones and missiles hit the southern seaside city, wounding a dozen people. Zelenskiy also claimed Russia hit nine other Ukrainian regions.
Russia has been bombarding Odesa in an effort to cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea, a key route for its agricultural exports. Residents noted that the port area is a frequent target. Ukraine has also been targeting Russian oil tankers and cargo vessels in the Black Sea.
Both sides have engaged in broader campaigns against each other's logistics. Ukraine's state oil and gas giant Naftogaz reported increased attacks on its facilities, including oil extraction sites. The energy ministry stated that Russian attacks on power facilities in the Odesa region caused significant power outages, though power was later restored to most consumers.
Russia's Defense Ministry specified that it hit fuel storage facilities in the ports of Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk, which it claimed were used in the interests of the Ukrainian military. Reports also indicated that Russian drones targeted a workshop specializing in drone components and a warehouse for storing drones and equipment in Odesa.
In the Vatican, Pope Leo renewed calls for an end to the conflict, citing the increasing number of civilian victims.