At least three people have been killed and three others wounded in Russian strikes on Odesa, marking the fifth consecutive day of attacks on the southern region's port infrastructure.
Regional Governor Oleh Kiper reported a "massive" drone and missile assault on civilian, industrial, and port facilities. Russia's Ministry of Defence confirmed strikes on Odesa and Chernomorsk ports, claiming the targets were used to store fuel and assemble drones.
In response, Ukraine intensified its campaign to disrupt Russian logistics in the Black Sea. Drone force commander Robert Brovdi stated that Ukrainian drones hit 17 oil tankers, two gas tankers, and one tugboat. He claimed 116 Russian vessels were "hunted down" over nine days.
Russia, which has occupied Crimea since 2014, is now preparing to reroute exports from the Sea of Azov following the attacks. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov labeled the Ukrainian strikes "terrorism."
The escalating battle over Black Sea trade routes comes as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv to announce initiatives for deeper Ukraine-EU defense integration.