Since the beginning of 2026, Russian forces have attacked the port infrastructure of Odesa and Chornomorsk more than 180 times. This information was disclosed by the Vice Prime Minister for Reconstruction, Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksii Kuleba during a working trip to the Odesa region.
This is reported by Finway
The Importance of Ports for the Economy and Investment
During a meeting with local businesses and journalists, Kuleba emphasized the strategic significance of the ports for the region and the country as a whole. The ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk remain key logistical and economic assets that ensure Ukraine’s resilience even amid a full-scale war.
“For Odesa, this is strategic: ports are logistics, economy, and the resilience of the country”.
Despite the challenging security situation, investor interest in Chornomorsk port is not diminishing. Kuleba noted that applications are currently being reviewed within the framework of the public-private partnership project, and at least four large-scale infrastructure projects are being prepared in the region. According to the official, this will be an important element of the country’s future recovery and its integration into global logistics networks.
Increase in Attacks and Strengthening of Defense
The Vice Prime Minister emphasized that in 2026, the number of attacks on the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk has significantly increased compared to the previous year: while around 150 attacks were recorded in 2025, this figure has now exceeded 180. Russian forces are employing massive strikes, continually increasing the number of drones involved in the attacks.
In response, Ukraine is ramping up security measures: increasing the number of mobile fire groups, strengthening the crews of UAV interceptors, expanding electronic warfare capabilities, and enhancing coordination with the military. According to Kuleba, the effectiveness of shooting down enemy drones has increased by 25–35%.
The authorities are paying special attention to improving the efficiency of port operations. The main tasks for the managers remain reducing downtime, shortening cargo processing times, and increasing transshipment volumes. This is extremely important for both business and the overall economic stability of the country.
It is known that on the night of March 20, two civilian vessels were damaged as a result of a Russian drone attack in Odesa region, and two people were injured.