The attack has raised concerns of a potential global food crisis and the possibility of NATO involvement in the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine has reported that it successfully destroyed 22 out of 25 Russian drones that targeted the southern Odesa region. Moscow, on the other hand, claimed to have struck the Danube port of Reni.
The situation has escalated as Russia continues to target Ukrainian port infrastructure in the Odesa region. This relentless assault comes after Russia's withdrawal from a previous agreement that ensured safe passage for ships carrying grain from Ukrainian ports.
“On the night of September 3, 2023, the Russian occupiers launched several waves of attacks by 'Shahed-136/131' UAVs from the south and southeast,” Ukraine's Air Force said a statement on Telegram.
Ukrainian prosecutors confirmed that some of the drones hit the Danube area, resulting in at least two people being wounded.
Disturbing videos circulating on social media depict large nighttime explosions and thick, orange smoke enveloping a flaming port building, with fiery debris falling from the sky.
The Russian army defended its actions, stating that it had targeted "fuel storage facilities" in Reni, which is situated across the Danube River from NATO and European Union member, Romania. Reni is one of Ukraine's two major ports on the Danube, the other being Izmail, both of which have been repeatedly targeted by Russian drones in recent weeks.
The Russian army asserted: "Today at night, the Russian army carried out a group drone strike on fuel storage facilities used to supply military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the port of Reni, in the Odesa region. All designated targets were hit."
The international community closely watches this developing situation, with concerns growing over the potential ramifications on global food supplies and the geopolitical implications of NATO involvement. (ILKHA)