Russia Intensifies Strikes on Ukraine, Threatens Maritime Supply Routes and Power Infrastructure

By: The Trek News Desk

Russia has stepped up its military attacks on Ukraine, particularly targeting the southern coastal region of Odesa, leading to large-scale power outages and raising serious concerns over the safety of maritime trade and port infrastructure. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba described the assaults as “systematic and continuous,” noting that the focus of the conflict appears to be shifting increasingly toward Odesa.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Moscow’s primary objective is to cut Ukraine off from critical sea-based logistics to disrupt exports and supply chains. Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin had warned that Ukraine’s access to the sea could be restricted if attacks continued on Russian oil tankers belonging to the so-called “shadow fleet.” The term refers to a network of vessels Russia allegedly uses to bypass Western sanctions.

On Monday evening, Russian strikes damaged port facilities in Odesa, including a civilian vessel, according to regional authorities. These attacks are part of a broader wave of hundreds of strikes that have repeatedly disrupted electricity supplies and resulted in multiple civilian casualties across the region.

Officials reported that overnight attacks on Sunday left around 120,000 residents without electricity, while a fire at a major port destroyed dozens of containers carrying flour and vegetable oil. Earlier, a ballistic missile strike on the Pivdenniy port, east of Odesa, killed eight people and injured at least 30 others. Another attack earlier in the week claimed the life of a woman travelling with her three children and temporarily severed the only bridge linking the Odesa region with neighbouring Moldova.

Amid the escalating situation, President Zelensky indicated that a new air force commander for the region would be appointed soon, following the dismissal of the current commander, Dmytro Karpenko.

Odesa has long been a cornerstone of Ukraine’s economy. As the country’s third-largest city after Kyiv and Kharkiv, its strategic value has grown significantly as several other Ukrainian ports in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv remain inaccessible due to Russian occupation.

Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine remains one of the world’s leading exporters of wheat and corn. Since August 2023, Odesa has served as the starting point of a vital maritime corridor, allowing Ukrainian grain to be shipped along the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria before reaching Turkey.

Zelensky once again urged the international community to increase pressure on Russia, warning that Moscow has no intention of ending its aggression without sustained global action. His remarks came as a new round of U.S.-led diplomatic talks concluded in Miami, where American officials held separate meetings with Ukrainian and Russian delegations. While the discussions were described as constructive, they produced no concrete breakthroughs.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said he worked with Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to align positions on a 20-point peace proposal recently put forward by Ukraine. The plan serves as an alternative to a U.S.-backed proposal introduced in November, which Kyiv viewed as more favourable to Moscow.

Meanwhile, senior Kremlin officials dismissed revisions suggested by European and Ukrainian representatives, arguing they would not improve the prospects for peace. Russia has also accused European countries of attempting to undermine potential improvements in U.S.-Russia relations.

In a related development, Russian forces launched an early-morning air attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, on Tuesday. The city’s military administration said air defence systems were activated to counter the threat. No immediate reports of damage or casualties were released.

Source: News Agencies