Russian drones strike key bridge in Odesa region, threatening Danube ports video

The bridge in the village of Maiaky in Ukraine’s Odesa region has once again been targeted in a drone attack, underscoring growing concerns about the security of key transport routes in the area.

According to the “Politics of the Country” Telegram channel, citing sources, experts assess that the aim of these Russian strikes is to sever the Danube ports from the rest of the region. The ports handle major cargo volumes, including roughly 60 per cent of Ukraine’s total fuel imports.

The bridge struck in Maiaky is considered a critical piece of infrastructure. Dmitry Levushkin, founder of the transport company Prime, has previously noted that the crossing is used to transport fuel from the Danube ports to southern Ukraine. He warned that damage or destruction of the bridge could result in a sharp increase in gasoline prices for consumers.

The latest attack comes against the backdrop of an earlier wave of strikes on the Odesa region. Beginning on December 12, Russia carried out attacks on energy infrastructure over several consecutive days, in what collectively amounted to one of the largest assaults on the region since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Those strikes left large parts of Odesa without electricity and water, forcing the suspension of public transport services. More than a week later, efforts to address the consequences of the attacks were still ongoing, and rolling power outages continued across the city.

By Tamilla Hasanova