Russian attacks hit grain sites in Odesa

Rescuers work on a scene of drone attack in Odesa region, Ukraine, Aug. 2, 2023. [AP Photo]

Ukrainian officials said Wednesday that Russian drone attacks damaged port facilities in the Odesa region in southern Ukraine, while Russian-launched drones also targeted Ukraine's capital.

Ukraine's military said the Russian attack damaged a grain elevator and caused a fire at industrial and port facilities.

Oleh Kiper, the Odesa region's governor, said on Telegram that the Russian attack left damage but that there were no reports of injuries.

"Russian terrorists have once again attacked ports, grain, global food security," Kiper said.

Since withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative last month, Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian grain infrastructure in Odesa.

Before leaving the deal that allowed for the safe passage of Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, Russia had complained that a parallel deal to ease its own exports of grain and fertilizer was not being met.

In addition to the facilities in Odesa, Russia has also carried out attacks on Ukrainian river ports that have become more of a focus as alternative routes for Ukrainian exports since the expiration of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

In Kyiv, officials said Ukrainian air defenses shot down Iranian-made Shahed drones that attacked overnight. Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv military administration, said more than 10 drones that approached the city from different directions were destroyed.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said falling debris from the downed drones caused damage in at least three districts of the city. There were no immediate reports of casualties.