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In the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, a grim reality unfolds as Russian missile attacks escalate, targeting not only military assets but also civilian shipping infrastructure. As the war drags on, workers at the port grapple with the haunting memories of lost colleagues and an increasingly perilous workplace. The continuing assaults threaten to sever Ukraine’s crucial maritime links, jeopardising the nation’s economy and food security.
A Haunting Atmosphere
Svitlana Halchenko, a shift manager at Odesa’s main port, recalls the harrowing day when a Russian missile struck her workplace, killing her crane operator and partner just metres away from her. Svitlana, herself injured and walking with a limp due to shrapnel embedded in her body, embodies the resilience of those who refuse to abandon their posts amid the chaos. Yet, the port, once a bustling hub, now stands eerily quiet, with few vessels daring to dock.
“The last few weeks have been worse than ever,” she shares, her voice tinged with sorrow. “It’s been very difficult for morale. A lot of sirens, a lot of shaheds [drones], a lot of hits. People are very tense.”
According to the Ukrainian port administration, July witnessed a staggering 57 Russian attacks on civilian vessels, including a deadly strike on the Turkish cargo ship Golden Leo, which resulted in the death of nine crew members. The Black Sea is now considered one of the world’s most perilous areas for shipping, with July marking the deadliest month for merchant seamen since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Strangled by Hostility
Oleg Grygoriuk, the Chairman of the Marine Transport Workers Union of Ukraine, points out that many of his members are veterans who find the port environment more frightening than the front lines. The proximity of Russian-occupied territory means that there is often little warning before missiles strike. “A missile flies from Crimea within a minute,” Grygoriuk explains. “If you are sitting in a crane, you need three and a half minutes to get down and go to the shelter. There’s literally no time to do that.”
During a rare visit to one of the area’s ports, the atmosphere was one of desolation. Empty berths and idle cranes painted a picture of a halted operation. A senior manager, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, lamented the situation: “Normally there’s a queue, even out at sea, waiting for a berth.”
A deal brokered by the UN in 2022 had initially allowed for safe passage of grain exports, yet this agreement was suspended in mid-2023, leading to systematic attacks on shipping routes.
Economic Consequences
The implications of these attacks are profound. Volodymyr Slavinskyi, the trading director for Nibulon, one of Ukraine’s leading grain exporters, highlights the urgency of the situation. “Farmers need to quickly harvest grains from the fields, not to lose the crop,” he states. “They need to be able to sell the crops they harvested and reinvest money in the next production cycle.”
Before the war, Ukraine was a major player in global grain markets, supplying around 6% of the world’s wheat and 10% of its corn. However, the ongoing conflict has drastically reduced its export capacity by at least a third, exacerbating the global food crisis.
With the summer grain harvest underway, the stakes are higher than ever. “I would say we’ve already lost the ability to deliver to global customers around half a million or 700,000 metric tons of Ukrainian grains and oilseeds,” Slavinskyi adds, emphasising the urgency of restoring secure maritime routes.
Resilience Amidst Ruins
Despite the constant threat of missile strikes, life continues in Odesa. The city’s beaches are filled with holidaymakers, many undeterred by the sound of sirens and distant explosions. Local authorities report incidents where civilians have been caught in the crossfire, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of this conflict.
One such victim, 83-year-old Andrii Dudik, found himself surveying the wreckage of his home after a recent drone explosion. “I was lying there, wondering what I was going to do this afternoon. Now I know,” he joked, showing remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Yet, he also acknowledged the randomness of his situation: “Absolutely [I feel like a victim], and I won’t forget it.”
Why it Matters
The intensification of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s Black Sea ports is not only a military tactic but also a significant threat to global food security. As Odesa’s port workers navigate a treacherous landscape filled with both physical and emotional scars, the ramifications of these assaults extend far beyond the immediate danger. The ability of Ukraine to sustain its agricultural exports is crucial for the livelihoods of farmers and the stability of food supplies worldwide. As the conflict continues, the world watches closely, aware that the stakes have never been higher.
