Russian drone attack on Ukrainian port damages Panama-flagged vessel, officials say

(Reuters)

April 14 – Russian drones attacked Ukraine’s Izmail port in the ​southern Odesa region overnight, damaging a civilian Panama-flagged ‌vessel, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday.

Several strikes were recorded across the port area, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said, ​adding that separate infrastructure elements and equipment were ​also damaged.

“The enemy is once again deliberately striking ⁠critical infrastructure and logistics in the Odesa region,” ​Kuleba said on the Telegram messaging app.

One of the ​strikes caused a fire, which was quickly extinguished, he said.

Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority said the port continued to operate.

Regional Governor Oleh ​Kiper said that a berth and a barge were ​damaged at the port, while a building housing a workshop was ‌destroyed ⁠by the strikes. Two passenger buses and seven cars were also destroyed, he added.

Six private buildings also came under attack, with their roofs damaged. An ambulance ​was also damaged, ​Kiper said, ⁠adding that no one was hurt in the attack.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia had ​launched four missiles and 129 drones at ​the ⁠country since Monday evening. The air defence units downed or neutralised one missile and 114 drones, it added.