Ukraine's Black Sea exports grind to halt after attacks on cargo ships
Aftermath of a Russian attack on a civilian cargo vessel (photo: facebook.com/navy.mil.gov.ua)
Ukraine's maritime exports have effectively come to a halt due to Russian attacks on port infrastructure and foreign commercial vessels, Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, said during the national telethon broadcast.
He said that the Odesa region has been under constant Russian attacks for the third consecutive week. Every day, the region experiences at least 10 air raid alerts, during which Russian forces strike the ports and the city with missiles and drones.
"People remain in a constant state of anxiety because the attacks have not stopped for three weeks. The enemy is very actively attacking Odesa and the ports," Kiper said.
Due to the high security risks, shipowners from some foreign companies have suspended submitting new applications for vessels to enter Ukrainian ports. They fear for the safety of their crews, the integrity of their vessels, and insurance risks in the combat zone.
Consequences of Russian attacks on vessels
Kiper said that over the past week, Russian forces had deliberately targeted the civilian merchant fleet, resulting in numerous casualties. In particular, on Sunday, July 19, 10 crew members, citizens of Syria and India, were killed in a strike on one of the vessels.
According to the head of the regional administration, a total of 30 people were killed, and another 80 were injured in Russian attacks across the Odesa region over the past week.
"We are now trying to completely revise our protection measures and restore shipping, as it had operated over the past three years," he said.
Kiper also noted that since the opening of the maritime corridor in 2023, Russia has consistently tried to disrupt shipping. Russian forces have regularly conducted reconnaissance, attacked port infrastructure, and attempted to damage foreign commercial vessels.
Earlier, Russia struck civilian cargo vessels in the Black Sea and blocked the operation of Ukraine's maritime corridor. Against the backdrop of growing threats to global food security, Ukraine requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
One of the world's largest container shipping companies, Maersk, has suspended services through the Chornomorsk Fishing Port. The reason is the intensification of Russian attacks on port infrastructure.
