Russian airstrikes continued to batter Ukraine’s Black Sea ports in a third overnight attack which killed at least three people, destroyed schools, hospitals and homes and stopped vital exports of food and fertilisers.
Moscow claims that the bombardment of Odesa and Mykolaiv is retaliation for Ukraine’s attack on the Kerch bridge – the only road access Russia has to Crimea. Ukrainian naval drones damaged the vital artery on Monday but only managed to close one of the lanes on the bridge. This week’s revenge bombings have injured at least 27 civilians, damaged commercial and residential buildings – including China’s consulate in Odesa – and destroyed an estimated 60,000 tonnes of grain waiting to be shipped.
