The strategic importance of Odesa region was emphasized at the international forum

The Black Sea Security Forum, the largest geopolitical event in southern Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war, has started in Odesa. More than 500 participants from more than 20 countries are taking part in the forum.

During the event, Deputy Minister of Communities and Territories Development Andriy Kashuba said that the losses of Ukraine's port industry as a result of Russian attacks exceeded 1 billion euros. In total, about 400 port infrastructure facilities and 31 civilian vessels were damaged. In addition, 106 maritime workers were injured.

Despite the constant shelling, Ukrainian seaports continue to operate. Since 2023, almost 5,000 vessels and 123 million tons of cargo have been handled in the ports of Greater Odesa, including more than 70 million tons of grain, which ensures global food security. In turn, the Danube ports have already handled about 4 million tons of cargo since the beginning of 2025.

Roman Kostenko, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament and Secretary of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, also spoke at the forum. He emphasized that Ukraine's control over Odesa, Mykolaiv and access to the sea is critical for the return of the temporarily occupied territories.

"If we lose any region, for example, in Donetsk region... But we keep the south and remain a maritime power, we will have the economic capacity to return these territories. If we lose the south - Mykolaiv, Kherson, and especially Odesa - our chances of doing so will be significantly reduced," Kostenko emphasized.

On May 23, Russia once again launched a missile attack on the port infrastructure of Odesa. As a result of the attack, a port worker was killed on the spot, and two more people died in hospital from their injuries.

Ірина Глухова