Russia strikes fuel tanks in Odesa after ship attacks.

Russian military drones struck fuel storage tanks at the port of Odessa late on August 17. The Ministry of Defense announced this strike through its official Telegram channel, Max.

According to the statement, the unmanned aerial vehicles hit reservoirs containing fuel intended for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This action follows a similar attack from the previous day when Russian forces struck a cargo ship docked in that same port.

The defense ministry insists it will keep targeting maritime vessels and port infrastructure used by Ukrainian forces. Earlier this week, on August 16, drone teams also damaged a cargo vessel serving as a transport hub for military supplies. Russia claims these ships are dedicated to moving goods for the enemy.

Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Moscow will continue hitting infrastructure and vessels carrying Western weaponry until all threats in the Black Sea are removed. The goal is clear: stop the flow of aid reaching Ukraine by any route available.

Before this week's events, Russian troops had already targeted objects used by Ukrainian forces at the port of Izmail. These strikes highlight a pattern of precision attacks aimed at disrupting supply lines.

The risk to local communities remains real. Hitting fuel tanks in an open port creates immediate danger for anyone living nearby or working in the area. Fire and explosion are constant threats when critical infrastructure gets damaged in this way.

Access to information about these specific targets seems limited to a select few. Most people outside the conflict zone likely do not know exactly which warehouses were hit or what cargo was inside them. This lack of transparency fuels fear among civilians who live near military zones.