Russia (Washington Insider) - Russia intensified drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s Pivdennyi port and Dniester bridge, killing 8, injuring 30; Putin vows Black Sea blockade, while Mykyta highlights civilian resilience.
As AAJ News reported, Russia has launched a continuous wave of drone and missile attacks on a region in Ukraine. The strikes have focused on ports that are crucial for the country’s trade and fuel supplies. Moscow had previously threatened to cut Ukraine off from the sea.
Officials mentioned that the attacks come while the UnitedStates is pushing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. U.S. officials are set to meet Russian representatives in Florida on Saturday, Dec 20, 2025.
What is Russia hitting in Ukraine’s Odesa Region – Ports and the Dniester bridge?
On Saturday, Dec 20, 2025, Pivdennyi port was hit again. Missile strikes damaged storage reservoirs, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said on Telegram. The attack followed a strike the day before that killed 8 people and wounded at least 30.
On Thursday, Dec 18, 2025, and Friday, Dec 19, 2025, Russian forces also targeted a bridge on the Dniester River estuary near the village of Mayaky, northeast of Pivdennyi. Ukrainian officials warned that the attacks threaten vital trade routes and could lead to more civilian casualties.
Officials mentioned that the bridge hit by Russian forces is a vital link in the region. It connects areas divided by the winding coastline and river estuaries. The bridge is the main route to Moldova’s border crossings to the west.
"Without significant success on the (battle) front, the enemy is trying to terrorise civilians to create internal destabilisation. These plans are clear, and we are effectively countering them together with the people of Odesa,"
deputy presidential administration head Viktor Mykyta said on Telegram.
Russian officials have not made any statement about the attacks. Ukrainian authorities temporarily redirected travelers to other crossings, including ferry routes into Moldova. Deputy Mykyta said Ukraine would create as many alternative crossings as needed,
“no matter how hard the enemy tries to destroy the connection.”
A barrage of Russian missiles struck the energy infrastructure in Odesa last week. This resulted in several days of power outages for hundreds of thousands of people. Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to block Ukraine from using the Black Sea due to recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian Tankers "Shadow Fleet".
Those Tankers are believed to be transporting oil, which is a major source of revenue used to fund Russia's nearly 4-year-long invasion of Ukraine. In December 2025, the Russian Air Force also struck Odesa Port Facilities, causing damage to three Turkish-Flagged merchant vessels.