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Odessa could lose its role as a functioning port city as Russian strikes intensify, British military analyst Alexander Mercouris has warned.
In a YouTube commentary, Mercouris said the current pace of attacks could soon make port operations in Odessa impossible. He added that the port may already have effectively ceased functioning.
On July 22, international container shipping company Maersk announced a temporary suspension of operations involving the port of Chernomorsk in Odessa region. The company made the decision following a series of Russian strikes.
A day later, Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotsky reported that maritime traffic had stopped. According to him, vessels were no longer entering Ukrainian seaports because of repeated attacks carried out by Russian forces.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its troops launched another overnight strike on Odessa’s port infrastructure on July 23. According to the ministry, the targeted facilities were used for unloading and storing military cargo.