Russians attack port infrastructure in Odesa and Chornomorsk over 180 times this year, Kuleba says
According to Ukrinform, Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba reported this on Facebook following a working trip to the Odesa region.
One of the key topics of the meeting with local businesses and journalists was port operations, security, and attracting investment.
As Kuleba noted, “This is strategic for the Odesa region: Ports mean logistics, the economy, and the country’s resilience.”
"Despite the war, investor interest in the Black Sea port remains strong. The public-private partnership project is already at the application review stage. And importantly, Ukraine is receiving a clear signal from the international market: our infrastructure assets remain in demand even under such conditions. In particular, we are preparing at least four more major infrastructure projects in the Odesa region. This is one of the key elements of Ukraine’s future recovery and its integration into international logistics routes,” Kuleba stated.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that in 2026, the intensity of attacks on the port infrastructure of Odesa and Chornomorsk had increased. While there were about 150 attacks in 2025, there have already been over 180 this year. The Russians carry out massive strikes and increase the number of UAVs.
“We are strengthening our defenses, increasing the number of mobile fire teams, replenishing the crews of interceptor UAVs, and boosting electronic warfare capabilities and coordination with the troops. In percentage terms, the effectiveness of shoot-downs has already increased by 25–35%,” Kuleba noted.
He emphasized: “Also, we are working on port efficiency: The task for managers is to reduce downtime, shorten cargo handling times, and increase transshipment volumes. This is critical for business and the economy.”
As reported by Ukrinform, on the night of March 20, two civilian vessels were damaged in the Odesa region as a result of an attack by Russian drones. Two people were injured.
