The Power Within: The Kyiv Independent’s first-ever magazine. Be among the first to get it.

pre-order now
Skip to content
Edit post

Romania condemns Russian attacks on Ukraine's Danube ports

by Abbey Fenbert July 25, 2023 1:23 AM 2 min read
Grain carriers prepare to laod cargo onto ships at Port Reni on July 21, 2022. (Photo by Sergii Kharchenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis condemned the Russian military's July 24 attacks on Ukraine's Danube ports, calling it an "escalation" in a Twitter statement.  

"I strongly condemn the recent Russian attacks against the Ukrainian civilian infrastructure on the Danube, very close to Romania," Iohannis said. "This recent escalation poses serious risks to the security in the Black Sea."

On the night of July 24, Russian forces launched Shahed-136 drones at the Danube River ports of Izmail and Reni, located in Odesa Oblast. The ports are only 200 meters from the Romanian border.

The airstrikes injured several people and damaged grain storage units. Ukraine's Southern Operational Command announced that Ukrainian forces shot down three  of the drones.

The drone strikes followed days of attacks against Odesa's port and grain infrastructure. Russia's military aggression coincides with its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, posing grave risks to the valuable grain corridor .

In his statement condemning the attacks, Iohannis acknowledged the threat to international food supplies. "It also affects further UA grain transit and thus the global food security," he said.

The ports of Izmail and Reni are two of the last three ports still operating in Ukraine. The Danube has been Ukraine's only viable grain export route since Russia terminated the grain deal.

Ukraine war latest: Russia bombards Odesa’s historic center, kills 1, injures 21
Key developments on July 22-23 * Russia’s latest missile attack on Odesa results in civilian casualties; damages 25 historical buildings * Black Sea security to be discussed at NATO-Ukraine Council on July 26 * Russia starts collecting intel on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, says military inte…

News Feed

2:30 PM

Russian Railways hit by major cyberattack.

The state-owned Russian railway operator described the incident as a "massive DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attack," saying that efforts to restore operations are underway.
11:07 AM

Rubio to discuss Ukraine, NATO in Brussels this week.

"In Brussels, Secretary Rubio will attend the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting to discuss security priorities for the Alliance, including increased Allied defense investment and securing lasting peace in Ukraine," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
10:14 AM

2 killed, 21 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down two Kh-59/69 guided aerial missiles launched by Russia against Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the Air Force repored. Russian forces did not carry out a mass drone strike against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure overnight, marking first such instance in 2025.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.