Ukraine’s defense experts weigh whether Russia could really strike Odesa by sea or air
Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Russian military personnel (Photo: Getty Images)
Recent social media posts suggesting a Russian amphibious threat to Odesa and its region are false, Russian forces are incapable of such an operation, according to Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation.
“Odesa and the Odesa region have seen fake reports in various public channels about a Russian amphibious threat and other military scares. There is no ground threat, and Russia lacks the capabilities to carry out any sea-based operation. Everything is under the control of Ukraine’s Defense Forces,” the statement read.
Kovalenko added that Russia is currently focusing its major resources on airstrikes and attempts to create a humanitarian crisis, while simultaneously spending significant effort on local propaganda. He emphasized that it is crucial to remain resilient at this time.
“Energy workers are working, the military is working — many people are involved in repelling attacks, restoring infrastructure, ensuring security, maintaining information resilience, providing medical care, and managing logistics. It’s understandable that people are tired. The cause of all this suffering is Russia,” wrote Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation.
He emphasized that no European country could maintain such a pace of defense and restoration under these extreme wartime conditions.
Odesa region under attack
Over the past week and a half, Russia has launched repeated attacks on Odesa and the surrounding region.
Recent strikes on energy infrastructure left the regional center without electricity for about five days. The situation in the city of Artsyz is even worse, with power potentially unavailable until December 26. Following these attacks, on December 17, regional authorities declared a nationwide state of emergency.
In addition, on December 14, Russia attacked a bridge in Zatoka with 20 drones. A few days later, on December 18, the enemy struck a bridge near the village of Maiaky with UAVs. On December 19, the Odesa Regional Military Administration reported that, due to the attack, cargo traffic along the M-15 Odesa-Reni highway was suspended.
