Ukraine condemns the Russian drone attack on the grain terminal in the port of Odesa

Ukrainian authorities yesterday condemned a Russian drone attack on a grain export terminal in the port of Odesa, before adding that two of the devices hit the administration building, resulting in no casualties.

The mayor of Odesa, Oleg Kieper, indicated this on his Telegram account “anti-aircraft defense systems did not allow the enemy’s plan to attack the grain terminal in one of the ports of Odessa” and further stressed that a “terrorist country” had attempted a “strong drone attack” in the area.

“From the waters in the Black Sea, the enemy launched several kamikaze waves of unmanned aerial vehicles of the Shahed-136 type,” he said, also confirming the destruction of 22 of these devices.

“Due to falling debris from downed drones, two terminals near the port caught fire, including the grain terminal. The fire was extinguished quickly, without critical damage or injuries,” he concluded.

Some of the drones were directed against the Kyiv region, where the military authorities announced the interception of all who arrive in their airspace. Fragments of some of the drones fell on residential areas, causing damage to 12 private houses and one apartment building.

Russia often launches offensives on the port of Odesa with the alleged aim of destroying key infrastructure for the Ukrainian economy, thus influencing the course of the conflict.

The recent attack comes amid doubts over the next extension of the agreement reached in June 2022 between Ukraine and Russia – brokered by the United Nations and Turkey – for grain export from Ukrainian ports due to complaints from Moscow about what it describes as “violations” of clauses related to the export of Russian fertilizers.

Moscow, for its part, has warned that the pact will not be extended after July 17 if some deficiencies in the agreement are not corrected by that date, which they think it benefits Ukraine more, because Russian products are not transported. This prompted UN Secretary-General António Guterres to request an extension of this “necessary” pact.