Russia Hits Ukraine’s Odesa Port Export Facilities and Border Crossing Points
Impact of Russian Attacks on Ukraine’s Export Infrastructure and Border Crossings
Overview of the Recent Attack
KYIV, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Russia attacked Ukraine's port infrastructure and a border crossing with Romania in the southern Black Sea region of Odesa overnight, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the strike "deliberately damaged a border crossing point on the border with Romania, as well as export infrastructure."
Damage to Infrastructure and Energy Facilities
Energy Infrastructure and Civilian Impact
Ukraine's emergency service said the attack had also targeted energy infrastructure and caused a fire at a residential building, where one person was hurt, without giving further details.
Attack on Naftogaz Power Plant
Ukrainian state energy firm Naftogaz said later on Tuesday that Russia had also attacked its Odesa combined heat and power plant with missiles and drones overnight.
"Part of the main and auxiliary equipment was damaged, and debris clearance is ongoing," the company said in a statement.
Consequences for Export Routes
Blockade of Black Sea Ports
In recent months, Russia has sharply increased both the number and intensity of its drone strikes on export infrastructure in the Odesa region, home to Ukraine's main Black Sea ports as well as the major Danube river ports of Reni and Izmail.
Russian attacks have effectively blocked the seaports, which once handled 90% of the country's exports, forcing Kyiv to divert cargo through Danube river ports with lower capacity and to railway crossings on the western border.
Border Crossing Disruptions
Damage to Orlivka Checkpoint
The Ukrainian border service said on Tuesday that in the overnight strike, Russia had attacked and damaged a checkpoint for ferry services at Orlivka on the border with Romania.
"Processing of citizens and vehicles through this checkpoint has been temporarily suspended," the service said in a statement.
Ongoing Security Challenges in Odesa Region
Air-Raid Alerts and Operational Difficulties
The Odesa region faced more than 300 air-raid alerts in August, lasting a combined 238 hours, according to a monitoring service.
Railway officials say constant air-raid alerts and attacks on facilities are significantly complicating their operations.
Efforts to Maintain Grain Exports
However, Ukrainian railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia said it had increased grain deliveries to the Danube's ports for future exports.
(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka in Gdansk and Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Aidan Lewis)
