Since July 10, Russian forces have been relentlessly launching massive missile and drone attacks on the Odesa region. According to military spokesman Ihnat, Odesa’s extensive maritime coastline, its proximity to the borders with Romania and Moldova, and its status as a vital logistics hub make it one of the primary targets of these strikes.
Ihnat indicated that the attackers utilize a wide array of weaponry, including aerial guided missiles such as the Kh-59, anti-radiation Kh-31P missiles, anti-ship missiles like Onyx and Kh-22, as well as various combat drones including Shahed, Gerbera, Banderoil, and Orion UAVs.
He emphasized that the deployment of these weapon systems is not a new tactic for Russia. “This is not new weaponry; it is just used less frequently, which is why there is less discussion about it. […] Additionally, there is also the factor of strikes from the Crimean Peninsula using anti-ship missiles,” Ihnat explained.
Context
- In early December 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to “expand the range” of strikes against Ukrainian “port facilities and vessels entering Ukrainian ports.” He claimed that the “most radical way” would be to “cut Ukraine off from the sea.”
- Russia has increased its attacks on commercial vessels and port infrastructure in Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian Sea Ports Administration, strikes intensified in July 2026, with 23 attacks on Ukrainian ports and 17 attacks on civilian ships in the first two weeks of the month, resulting in 11 fatalities, including port workers and foreign sailors.
