Odesa seaports decide to increase defense measures

Oleksiy Kuleba, Minister of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, visited Odesa region together with Yuriy Lytvyn, head of the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority.

According to the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, they visited the ports of Chornomorsk, Pivdennyi and Odesa.

Oleksiy Kuleba emphasized that the stable operation of Ukrainian ports and the Ukrainian Sea Corridor is a guarantee of food stability in the world. Therefore, the safety of ports, personnel and vessels is a top priority.

"We are strengthening defense measures in each port. We are implementing additional actions that will increase the level of defense and security. It is also necessary to provide additional protection for the personnel of enterprises on the territory of the seaport, including the arrangement of mobile shelters. Additional funds will be allocated to restore the infrastructure of the Odesa port. In particular, this will include the modernization of key facilities and strengthening the overall security of the port areas," he said.

Currently, 86 vessels are waiting to approach the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi, with almost 2 million tons of cargo to be exported. Despite Russia's regular shelling of Ukrainian infrastructure, including civilian courts and grain storage facilities, Ukraine continues to be a guarantor of the world's food security. In total, over 2.8 thousand vessels have called at the three ports since the launch of the Ukrainian Corridor, transporting products to more than 50 countries.

Separately, Oleksiy Kuleba held a meeting with the heads of ports, relevant state-owned enterprises and administrations, and the military to discuss the functioning of seaports, the protection of critical infrastructure, and cooperation in protecting coastal facilities and waters.

On October 20, a fire broke out as a result of an evening missile attack on Odesa's port infrastructure, with no injuries or deaths. In addition, dry grass and an abandoned building caught fire in Odesa district due to falling rocket debris, with no injuries. The fires were extinguished by rescuers.

After the missile attack, the Russians struck with drones, which were destroyed by air defense forces.

Кирило Бойко