The Russian army launched dozens of drones last night on coastal cities in the Odessa and Sumy regions in southern Ukraine. The Odessa governor said on Telegram that the river port of Izmagil was particularly affected. He added that seven people were injured and several civilian objects were damaged, including a truck parking lot.
Of the 44 drones launched, 32 were intercepted, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The Russians are said to have used Shahed drones, Iranian-made drones, as in previous attacks.
The river port of Izmagil has come under regular fire recently. The port on the Danube River has become one of the most important transportation hubs for Ukrainian grain since Russia unilaterally withdrew from a grain deal with Ukraine in July. Consequently, Ukraine is no longer able to export its grain via the Black Sea and has to rely on transportation by land and rivers.
Last week, wreckage of Russian-made drones ended up on Romanian soil twice during attacks on Izmagil. The city is located on the Danube River, which forms the border between Ukraine, NATO, and Romania, a member of the European Union.
According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, there are no indications that Russia deliberately tried to strike NATO territory. However, Romania decided to strengthen security measures in response to the attacks. The country announced yesterday that it would build new shelters in the border area, and the United States announced last week that it would send more F-16 aircraft to Romania to protect NATO airspace.
Tom Kieft
