Russia intensifies long-range strikes against Ukraine

In response to a Ukrainian attack on the Crimean Bridge, Moscow has intensified long-range strikes against the country.

Russia has launched a massive cruise missile and suicide-drone barrage on targets in Ukraine, the country's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. The Russian military had identified several targets, including military infrastructure, fuel depots, weapons storage facilities, and an airbase, according to its daily briefing.

It said a group strike had been conducted using high-precision sea-and air-launched weapons, which hit military industry facilities, fuel infrastructure, and ammunition depots near the city of Odessa, as well as the air base of Ukraine's Kanatovo air base in the Kirovohrad region. All the target locations were successfully hit and the objectives of the strikes were achieved, the agency said.

The footage circulating online shows massive explosions in the near-shore near Odessa, including at its Black Sea port. Ukrainian officials have claimed the strikes also inflicted damage to civilian infrastructure, with the mayor, Gennadiy Trukhanov, saying the attack was the largest since the start of hostilities. He described last night's night in the city as terrible. A grain terminal at a port near Odessa was damaged in the attacks, but it was not immediately clear what exactly struck the installation, especially given the recent history of Ukraine's air-defense units inflicting damage to civilian infrastructure in the country and abroad.

Ukrainian agriculture minister Nikolay Solskiy, who lives in Chernomorsk, said overnight the port town of Chernomorsk experienced particularly heavy destruction overnight. A total of 60 tons of grain were destroyed in the port, while damage to the port will take around a year to repair.

The ramped-up attacks are coming after Russia withdraws from the so-called Black Sea grain deal, which was agreed in July 2022. The initiative, facilitated by the UN and T rkiye, lifted the naval blockade on Ukraine's Black Sea ports, facilitating its grain exports. In the deal, all of Russia's promises have been met, including lifting sanctions and enabling grain and fertilizer exports.

The suspension of the deal coincided with a new Ukrainian attack on the strategic Crimean Bridge. The blast killed a Russian civilian couple and seriously injured their 14-year-old daughter. The incident was described by top Russian officials as a terrorist attack, with President Vladimir Putin vowing to retaliate.