'We will sow' — Odesa farmers defiant in face of relentless Russian assaults

Since mid-July, Russia has intensified its attacks on Odesa's ports and adjacent infrastructure. Although the ports remain technically open, fewer ships now dare to enter this new maritime kill zone. "The ports are almost blocked," says Dmytro Barinov, president of the Ukrainian Ports Association Ukrport.

Barinov describes the increase in Russian attacks on civilian commercial vessels in the Black Sea this summer as a systematic targeting campaign rather than sporadic hits. "It's ship hunting," says Barinov. "They are afraid for their lives. It's not a matter of money."

Photo: Karina Piliuhina / The Kyiv Independent.