At the beginning of the year, Odesa region ports were attacked more than in the whole of 2025

Since the beginning of 2026, the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk have been attacked by Russians 180 times, which is more than in the entire year of 2025.

This was announced by Oleksiy Kuleba, Vice Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine, Minister of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine.

According to him, last year these two ports were attacked 150 times throughout the year. At the same time, the enemy has begun to use unmanned aerial vehicles more often for these attacks.

"We are strengthening our defense: we are increasing the number of mobile fire groups, adding more crews of UAV interceptors, increasing electronic warfare and coordination with the military. In terms of percentage, the effectiveness of the downing has already increased by 25-35%," added Oleksiy Kuleba.

On March 20, two civilian commercial vessels flying the flags of Palau and Barbados were damaged in the port of Odesa region as a result of a night attack by Russian drones. The vessels were moored at the piers and loaded with grain. Administrative buildings were also damaged. Two people were injured on the ships. In addition, a grain bunker and equipment were damaged in the port. Rescuers extinguished the fires. The ships remained afloat.

The night before, Russian drones massively attacked Odesa. Multi-storey buildings and private homes were damaged, there were casualties, and the aftermath of the attack is being cleaned up. The strike resulted in hits to residential buildings in different parts of the city. At least two multi-storey buildings, a residential building in the central historical part of Odesa, and a number of private sector buildings were damaged. In addition, non-residential infrastructure was also damaged.

In Kyiv district, a 22-storey residential building and a dormitory of a university were damaged, with about 180 windows smashed. The headquarters was deployed at night, around 1:10 am.

Кирило Бойко