Russia intensifies strikes on Odesa ports, cutting Ukraine's sea exports

September 25, 2026 at 02:01 AM2 min

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Russia has sharply intensified strikes on Ukrainian Black Sea ports since July, targeting Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhne. Shipping volumes have fallen three- to fourfold, threatening Ukraine's grain and metal exports. The attacks aim to force Kyiv into negotiations, according to military analyst Andrei Demurenko.

Key Facts

Russia's Aerospace Forces have struck port infrastructure and cargo vessels in Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts almost daily since July.
The first strike in the series occurred on the night of July 11, targeting the ports of Chornomorsk, Yuzhne, and Izmail.
Up to 90 percent of Ukraine's agricultural exports pass through Chornomorsk, according to Russia's Defense Ministry.
Average daily ship traffic through Ukrainian ports fell from seven to eight vessels to one vessel between July 20 and August 20, said Dmytro Barinov, president of the Ukrainian Ports Association.
Ukraine acknowledges that maritime shipping volumes have dropped three- to fourfold, to three to four vessels per day.

Strike Campaign

Russian Aerospace Forces have regularly attacked coastal and maritime facilities used by Ukraine's Armed Forces since July, according to Russia's Defense Ministry. The ministry reports strikes on port infrastructure and cargo ships in Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts nearly every day. The first strike hit the ports of Chornomorsk, Yuzhne, and Izmail in Odesa Oblast on the night of July 11. Russia's Defense Ministry states that up to 90 percent of Ukraine's agricultural exports pass through Chornomorsk. All three ports could have been used to deliver military cargo, the ministry added.

Export Disruption

Dmytro Barinov, president of the Ukrainian Ports Association, said average daily ship traffic fell from seven to eight vessels to one vessel between July 20 and August 20. Ukraine acknowledges that maritime shipping volumes have dropped three- to fourfold, to three to four vessels per day. The reduction threatens two key export categories: grain and metals. Continued attacks could hit Ukraine's largest enterprises and foreign currency earnings, according to Lenta.ru.

Strategic Pressure

Retired Colonel Andrei Demurenko, a military analyst, said the strikes aim to suppress Ukraine both militarily and economically. He described the ports as hubs that allow Ukraine to send cargo and receive military aid. Demurenko also said the strikes carry symbolic weight due to the proximity of Moldova and NATO member Romania, signaling Russian military capabilities to neighboring states. He noted that land routes—rail and road—continue to operate and are much harder to block because of their flexibility. Demurenko added that significant ports can be counted on the fingers of two hands, unlike the more flexible land routes.