Photo by Media Center Ukraine – Odesa: Natalia Humenyuk, head of the Joint Coordination Press Center of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine
August 2, 2023, 15:01

Missile attack of Odesa region on August 2, hit damaged port infrastructure and administrative buildings of one of the Danube ports were damaged

Air defense systems destroyed 11 Shahed-136 drones, but some still reached their targets. This was reported by Natalia Humeniuk, head of the Joint Coordination Press Center of the Southern Defense Forces, at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine – Odesa.

She noted that as the Danube ports were proclaimed as an alternative to the “grain agreement” the enemy focused its considerable efforts on them. 

“The attacks were carried out in two directions – on the capital and on the port infrastructure of Odesa region on the Danube, which the enemy tried to destroy. The air defense forces shot down 11 Shahed-136 drones, but the enemy has a lot of power, and we still lack air defense capabilities, which is being discussed at all levels. The attack damaged a port terminal and an elevator, and caused significant damage to hi-raise administrative buildings. It is not yet possible to say how many drones attacked Odesa region today,” – the officer said.

She added that the attack on the Danube ports was partly provoked by media reports of an alleged breakthrough of the naval blockade by three ships the day before.

“These vessels were sailing in accordance with international recommendations through the territorial waters of other countries. But the enemy’s goal is to show shipowners that any ports in Odesa region are dangerous. Therefore, these reports of the blockade breaking indirectly provoked an attack on the Danube ports,” – Humeniuk added. 

She also noted that the level of air threat remains high – on August 2, enemy aircraft were collecting intelligence, and a submarine with four missiles on board went on duty in the Black Sea.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news