Russia attacks Ukrainian ports to push Ukraine into premature talks

Russian attacks on civilian vessels and other infrastructure along the grain corridor are aimed at undermining Western confidence in Ukraine's ability to secure and protect the corridor, affecting long-term support for Ukraine, preventing Ukraine from surviving economically during the war, and pushing Ukraine into premature negotiations.

This is stated in an analytical report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

“For the fourth time since October 5, Russian forces have attacked civilian vessels docked in Ukrainian ports, part of an apparent Russian campaign to target port areas to disrupt the Ukrainian grain corridor, undermine international support for Ukraine, and push Ukraine into premature negotiations,” the ISW analytical report says.

According to the analysts, Russian forces launched a ballistic missile attack on the port of Odesa on the afternoon of October 14, hitting the civilian vessels NS Moon flying the flag of Belize and the cargo ship Optima flying the flag of Palau, as well as port infrastructure and a grain warehouse. At the same time, according to official reports, Russian strikes on October 7 have already damaged the Optima.

“Ukrainian sources have reported that Russian forces have recently attacked civilian vessels moored in the port of Odesa on the night of October 5-6, as well as on October 7 and 9. Russian ultra-nationalist milbloggers reacted to the October 9 strike with rhetoric supporting the Kremlin's narrative to undermine confidence in the grain corridor and attempting to justify the attack,” ISW noted.

It is noted that Russian pro-war bloggers directly called for further Russian strikes on Ukrainian grain infrastructure, civilian vessels in Ukrainian ports, and other targets that would worsen Ukraine's economic potential.

Author - Olena Madiak, 15/10/2024