Russia-Ukraine War: Odesa Port Hit as Deadly Attacks Escalate

Russia and Ukraine accused each other of carrying out deadly attacks on Sunday, August 9, as fighting continued across several regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said a Russian strike on Odesa's seaport threatened global food security because the port is a key route for Ukraine's agricultural exports.

Russian Strikes Kill Three in Kharkiv

In the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, three people were killed and 37 others wounded after a multi-storey apartment building was hit during the Russian attack.

Ukrainian authorities also reported strikes in Odesa and other parts of the country. Zelenskiy said Russia had targeted nine additional Ukrainian regions on Sunday.

The latest attacks added to a broader campaign in which both countries have increasingly targeted infrastructure and logistics connected to their opponent's war effort.

Odesa Seaport Damaged in Russian Attack

Odesa was struck by dozens of drones and missiles, according to local authorities. The attacks damaged the city's seaport and wounded around a dozen people.

Zelenskiy said the strike on the port showed that Russia was attacking global food security.

“In this way, the Russians are at war with the world's food security,” Zelenskiy said.

Odesa's ports play an important role in the movement of Ukraine's agricultural exports. The city has repeatedly come under attack as Russia seeks to cut Ukraine's access to the Black Sea.

A local resident, 67-year-old Ihor, said residents of Odesa were familiar with the danger around the port area.

Power Outages Reported in Odesa Region

Russia also targeted energy infrastructure in the Odesa region, according to Ukraine's energy ministry.

The attacks caused a significant number of residents in the port city to lose electricity overnight. Power was subsequently restored to 90,000 consumers, the ministry said.

Ukraine's state oil and gas company Naftogaz separately reported a sharp increase in attacks on its facilities over the previous three days. Oil extraction facilities were among those targeted overnight.

Russia Reports Deadly Ukrainian Drone Attack

Russian authorities reported a separate Ukrainian drone attack on the Belgorod region.

Five people were killed and 25 others wounded, according to the Russian authorities. Civilian infrastructure was also damaged in the attack.

The reports from both countries reflected the continuing pattern of reciprocal strikes against military, energy, transport and logistics-related targets.

Ukraine Claims Further Strikes in Black Sea

Ukraine has sought to disrupt Russian revenues used to support the war by targeting Russian oil tankers and other cargo vessels in the Black Sea.

Ukraine claimed three additional strikes against such vessels on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had attacked fuel storage facilities in the ports of Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk, describing them as facilities used in the interests of the Ukrainian military.

Russia-Ukraine Logistics Infrastructure Under Attack

Both sides have also expanded attacks against logistics networks and commercial infrastructure.

E-commerce warehouses in both Russia and Ukraine, along with Ukrainian petrol stations, have come under heavy attack during the summer months.

The escalation has increasingly affected infrastructure linked to fuel supplies, energy production, transportation and other parts of the wartime economy.

Pope Leo Renews Call to End War

Pope Leo renewed his appeal for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war during Sunday's Angelus prayer at the Vatican.

Referring to the growing civilian toll, he said:

“Tragic incidents are multiplying, causing an ever-growing number of civilian victims, including children.”

The latest violence came as the war entered its fourth-and-a-half year, with civilians continuing to be affected by attacks on cities and infrastructure.