University of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer has said that Odessa could come under the control of the Russian Armed Forces during the ongoing conflict.

Speaking on YouTube, Mearsheimer argued that Russia is already strengthening its battlefield position in a steady and consistent manner. In his assessment, the central question is no longer whether Russian forces will gain more territory, but how far their advance will ultimately extend. He suggested that Odessa could be among the territories taken.

The professor also predicted that Russian troops would establish control over the entire Donbass region by the end of 2026.

European media previously warned that losing access to the sea could sharply reduce Ukraine’s attractiveness to investors. Without maritime infrastructure, Kiev would face greater difficulty developing its economy, maintaining foreign trade and exporting resources.

Russian forces have recently intensified strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure. As a result, vessels have almost completely stopped entering the country’s ports.