Massive Russian Overnight Strikes Hit Ukraine’s Infrastructure; Cargo Ship Damaged in Odesa Port

By Admin

24 Dec, 2025

Introduction
Ukraine faced one of its most intense overnight assaults in recent months as Russian forces launched a large-scale attack targeting critical infrastructure across the country. The strikes, carried out overnight and into the early hours of Wednesday, affected multiple regions and caused damage to ports, energy facilities, transport networks, and residential areas, raising fresh concerns over the security situation during the winter season.

Scale and Spread of the Attacks
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia launched at least 650 drones along with more than three dozen missiles in a coordinated assault. Air raid sirens sounded continuously as the attacks spread across at least 13 regions, making it one of the largest combined drone-and-missile strikes seen in recent months. Authorities said the targets included key infrastructure assets vital for civilian life and economic activity.

Cargo Ship Damaged at Odesa Port
In the Odesa region, a small dry cargo vessel was reportedly damaged while loading soybeans at a port facility. Ukrainian media identified the ship as being registered in Lebanon. The vessel was docked within the Odesa port complex when it was hit. Images shared online showed fires burning onboard the ship as emergency crews worked to control the blaze. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident.

Impact on Port and Regional Infrastructure
Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper stated that the strikes caused damage to port infrastructure, energy facilities, transport assets, industrial sites, and residential buildings across the region. Despite the scale of destruction, he confirmed that there were no casualties reported in Odesa during this particular wave of attacks.

Further damage was reported by Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine, Oleksii Kuleba, who said that civilian warehouses and critical energy infrastructure in the Odesa region were also hit. The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority additionally confirmed damage to infrastructure and administrative buildings at the port of Reni, a strategically important Danube port.

Energy Facilities Under Fire
Energy infrastructure remained a primary target during the attacks. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy producer, reported that one of its thermal power plants was damaged and taken offline as a result of the strikes. Meanwhile, the Zaporizhzhia Steel Works said it lost power, forcing an emergency shutdown of production and adding further strain to Ukraine’s industrial sector.

Earlier Strikes and Rising Casualties
These latest attacks followed an earlier Russian missile strike on the Odesa port complex and the city itself, which resulted in at least eight deaths and 27 injuries. Ukrainian officials said some of the victims were passengers on a city bus that was struck during that earlier attack, highlighting the growing toll on civilians.

Recent Attacks on Other Ports
Russia has also recently targeted the port of Pivdennyi, where Ukrainian authorities reported a major fire in the port area. Around 30 storage tanks containing flour and vegetable oil were damaged, raising concerns about food supply chains and export capabilities amid ongoing hostilities.

No Sign of a Holiday Pause
Ukrainian media noted that speculation about a possible pause in Russian attacks during the Christmas season now appears increasingly unlikely. Instead, the continued intensity of strikes suggests a sustained campaign, with infrastructure and port facilities remaining high-priority targets.

Conclusion
The massive overnight strikes underscore the ongoing vulnerability of Ukraine’s infrastructure, particularly its ports and energy systems, which are critical for both civilian life and international trade. With attacks intensifying rather than slowing, the situation continues to pose serious humanitarian, economic, and security challenges for the country in the weeks ahead.