On the evening of Friday, December 19, Russian armed forces launched another intense airstrike on the Odessa region. The attack targeted the region's critical transportation and port infrastructure, resulting in significant civilian casualties and damage.
Bloody Friday: Port and parking lot under attack
According to information provided by Oleg Kiper, head of the Odessa Regional Military Administration, the ballistic missile strikes claimed the lives of at least seven people, while 15 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
- Target of the attack: The strike hit strategically important port infrastructure in the Odessa district.
- Fire: The missile impact caused a massive fire at a parking area for heavy trucks.
- Rescue operations: Emergency services are working at the scene, but continuous air raid sirens are putting rescuers' lives at risk and slowing down operations.
Transport blockade: Bridge on M15 highway destroyed
On the same day, Russian forces struck a bridge on the M15 highway near the Mayaki settlement, a vital route connecting Odessa and the city of Reni. As a result, transportation operations along this essential route have been completely halted.
"This bridge is of vital importance for the region. Fuel deliveries from Danube ports pass through this area. If the bridge is rendered completely inoperable, gasoline prices could skyrocket for the population," said expert Dmitriy Levushkin.
Kiper urged local residents not to share information about alternative routes or repair works on social media, warning that such details could aid the enemy in planning further attacks.
Energy crisis and calls for sanctions
The Odessa region has been under relentless assault since December 12. Last week's strikes on the energy system were recorded as the most extensive since the beginning of the war. The city continues to experience disruptions in electricity and water supplies, while the transportation system operates in a limited capacity.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba called on the international community not to remain indifferent to these atrocities and urged for maximum sanctions pressure on Russia.
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