Russian strike ignites fire at Ukrainian port, leaving over 120,000 without power

A sustained overnight Russian aerial assault has inflicted severe damage on critical infrastructure in southwestern Ukraine, igniting a major fire at the strategic Pivdennyi Port in the Odesa region and knocking out power for more than 120,000 residents. The attack, which Ukrainian air defenses partially intercepted, represents the latest escalation in Moscow's campaign to target Ukraine's economic and logistical hubs.

A Dual Blow to Port and Power Infrastructure

According to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration Oleksii Kuleba, the attack caused approximately 30 containers carrying flour and vegetable oil to catch fire at the port. Emergency services and port workers are on-site battling the blaze. Simultaneously, the strike damaged energy infrastructure across the Odesa region, leading to widespread blackouts. Kuleba stated that restoration teams are also assessing and repairing damage to railway infrastructure in the northwestern Zhytomyr region, indicating a broader offensive.

Significant Interception Rate Amidst Massive Barrage

The Ukrainian Air Force reported a robust defensive performance amid the large-scale attack, claiming to have shot down 58 out of 86 various types of drones launched by Russia overnight. Despite these interceptions, the remaining munitions caused substantial damage. Beyond the port fire, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported that warehouses storing fertilizer and agricultural machinery were also hit, further crippling the region's vital agricultural export capacity.

Context of Escalating Attacks on a Key Corridor

This latest assault follows a deadly missile strike on the same Pivdennyi Port on Saturday, which officials said killed eight people and injured 27 others. The port complex, located northeast of the city of Odesa, is a cornerstone of the Black Sea export corridor that Ukraine established after Russia withdrew from a UN-brokered grain deal. The repeated targeting of this infrastructure underscores Moscow's continued strategy to strangle Ukraine's economy and disrupt its ability to fund the war effort through agricultural exports.