Russia Kills 3 in Odesa Port Strikes as Ukraine Hits 20 Russian Vessels
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 15
Russia Kills 3 in Odesa Port Strikes as Ukraine Hits 20 Russian Vessels
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 15
Summary
At least 3 people were killed and 3 wounded in a fifth straight day of Russian drone and missile attacks on Odesa region, with civilian, industrial and port infrastructure hit.
Russia said it struck Odesa and Chornomorsk port facilities because they were used to store fuel and assemble drones, underscoring a sharper fight over Black Sea trade routes.
Ukraine said it answered with drone strikes on 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea—17 oil tankers, 2 gas tankers and 1 tugboat—as Kyiv tries to disrupt logistics and isolate Crimea.
Moscow said this week it was preparing to reroute exports after repeated attacks on shipping in the Sea of Azov, while Sergey Lavrov called the Ukrainian strikes on vessels “terrorism.”
The escalation came as Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv, saying the EU would unveil new steps to integrate defense industries and speed weapons production.