Russian Attacks in October Inflict Up to $40 Million in Damage on Ukraine’s Port Infrastructure

Ukraine’s Agriculture Ministry reports that Russian attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure in October 2024 inflicted damages between $30 million and $40 million. The announcement was made by Taras Vysotskyi, Acting Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, at a Media Center Ukraine briefing.

Vysotskyi noted that insurance assessments of the damages remain ongoing, particularly due to heightened attacks in early October. “Insurance companies are evaluating the damages, especially from the intense strikes at the start of the month,” he said. “Our preliminary estimate for the latest attack stands at around $30–40 million.”

The damage to port infrastructure adds to a significant toll on Ukraine’s agricultural sector since the onset of the full-scale invasion, which is estimated at approximately $82 billion. Losses within the grain industry alone are valued between $500 million and $600 million, according to Vysotskyi.

He emphasized the importance of state-implemented war-risk insurance measures, with support from international private companies, as a means of mitigating the impact on Ukraine’s port operations and grain exports. “All losses are thoroughly documented in accordance with international law,” he stated. “The sum that Ukraine will seek in reparations now reaches hundreds of billions of dollars, and we will continue to press for every dollar lost in damages, particularly for port infrastructure.”

Throughout October, Russia intensified its focus on Ukrainian port infrastructure, causing extensive damage. On October 9, Russian forces launched ballistic missile attacks targeting the Odesa region’s port facilities, resulting in casualties. Additional attacks on October 7 and October 14 further compromised port operations, affecting numerous vessels, including those bearing flags from Saint Kitts and Nevis and Palau. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Restoration, over 280 port infrastructure sites have been damaged or destroyed since the start of the war, alongside more than 100,000 tons of agricultural products lost.

Enhanced defensive measures are being implemented at the ports of Chornomorsk, Pivdennyi, and Odesa, which include mobile shelters and additional funding for infrastructure repairs.