Russia Strikes Ports to Push Ukraine to Talk, ISW

Russian troops are attacking Ukrainian ports with the aim of undermining international support for Ukraine and encouraging it to negotiate.

This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its report.

ISW experts note that the Russians have struck civilian ships moored in Ukrainian ports for the fourth time since October 5. In particular, on October 14, a Russian ballistic missile hit the civilian vessels “NS Moon” under the flag of Belize and the dry cargo vessel “Optima” under the flag of Palau in Odesa port, damaging the port infrastructure and grain storage.

Analysts explain that such actions are part of Russia’s campaign to disrupt the Ukrainian grain corridor, which aims to weaken international support for Ukraine and force it into preliminary negotiations.

Russian military bloggers openly support these attacks, calling for further strikes on Ukraine’s grain infrastructure and other economically important facilities.

ISW also notes that the strikes on Ukrainian ports are aimed at undermining the West’s confidence in Ukraine’s ability to ensure the security of the grain corridor, which could affect the discussion of long-term support for Kyiv from the international community.

We will remind, on October 14, Russian terrorists attacked Odesa with a ballistic missile. One person died, eight were injured. The port infrastructure was once again the target of the enemy.