Russian drones attack Danube ports in Ukraine

(Patria) - Russian drones hit Danube port infrastructure critical for Ukrainian grain exports, injuring at least two people in an attack on the southern parts of Odesa Oblast on Sunday, Ukrainian officials said, Reuters reported.

The Danube has become Ukraine's main route for grain exports since July, when Russia withdrew from a UN and Turkey-brokered deal that allowed safe passage for Kyiv to export grain, oilseeds, and vegetable oils via the Black Sea.

The attack occurred a day before Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan are scheduled to hold talks in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. Turkey is pushing for the revival of the grain deal.

Ukraine's Southern Military Command said on social media that at least two civilians were injured in the early morning attack on what it called "Danube civilian infrastructure".

The Ukrainian Air Force said that air defense systems shot down 22 out of 25 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia.
Officials did not provide details about the port hit, but some Ukrainian media reported explosions at the port of Reni, which, along with Izmail, is one of the two major Ukrainian Danube ports.

The military said that a fire that broke out after the attack was quickly extinguished. Interfax quoted the Russian Ministry of Defense as saying that a group of Russian drones successfully targeted fuel depots at the port of Reni used by the Ukrainian army.