Inside Odesa port attacks: How Russia targets Ukraine's Black Sea trade

Why is the Black Sea so crucial for Ukraine’s economy? In this report, the Kyiv Independent travels to Odesa and the surrounding region to document how intensified Russian attacks are threatening the city, its ports, and Ukraine’s vital Black Sea trade route. From residents sheltering during drone attacks to Ukrainian crews patrolling the coastline, this report shows how Russia is increasingly targeting commercial vessels and port infrastructure. Fewer ships are now willing to enter Ukrainian ports, putting pressure on the maritime corridor that carries the country’s agricultural exports to global markets. Ukrainian farmers are struggling to sell and store their harvests as grain exports slow down, while alternative routes by road and rail cannot match the capacity of the Black Sea ports. As Russia targets Ukraine’s ability to trade by sea, the consequences are being felt across Odesa Oblast and could extend to countries that rely on Ukrainian agricultural products. 00:00 Intro 00:40 Odesa under attack 01:34 Support independent journalism 01:57 War’s impact on Odesa 05:05 Taking shelter from drones 07:05 Defending Odesa from the sea 10:34 Russia targets Ukraine’s economy 11:49 Attacks on commercial shipping 14:46 Farmers struggle to export 17:13 Fields under attack 17:46 The wider impact 18:28 Outro Watch more videos from wartime Odesa and Ukraine’s Black Sea ports:    • Dare to Ukraine | Odesa: Summer by the sea...      • Inside Ukraine's mission to defend the Bla...   We have more than 400,000 subscribers on this channel, and millions watch our videos every month. But less than 1% support our journalism financially. If you’ve been watching for a while, this is the moment to join us: https://kyivindependent.com/membershi... Subscribe to our channel for more independent reporting from Ukraine. #Odesa #BlackSeaPorts #UkraineWar #UkraineEconomy