Russian forces strike Odesa port, Zelenskyy warns of threat to food security

Russian forces carried out a fresh assault on the port of Odesa in southern Ukraine, killing several people in what was described as a brutal attack. The strike again highlighted the vulnerability of Odesa as a key port hub amid continued Russian bombardment.

Zelenskyy's response

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by accusing Moscow of harming global food security. Odesa's port has long served as one of Ukraine's primary outlets for grain and other agricultural exports, meaning repeated attacks on its infrastructure directly affect the country's ability to supply food products to international markets.

Background

The port and surrounding area have been a frequent target of Russian strikes since the start of the full-scale war, as Moscow has repeatedly sought to restrict Ukraine's maritime export capacity. Such attacks cause not only direct casualties and damage but also carry broader consequences for global food supply chains, given Ukraine's role as one of the world's major grain exporters.

Ukrainian officials continue to emphasize that strikes on civilian and port infrastructure form part of a wider Russian strategy that affects not only Ukraine itself but also countries dependent on Ukrainian grain imports. Full details on the number of casualties and the scale of the damage have not yet been confirmed.