Odesa region under fire: strategic bridge near Mayaky attacked more than 20 times.

The situation in Odesa region under unprecedented pressure

According to ТСН: Odesa region is experiencing extraordinary danger: over the past week, more than 500 shellings using various types of weaponry have been recorded. Key targets of the attacks remain port infrastructure and logistics hubs.

Vice Prime Minister for Restoration Oleksiy Kuleba talked about the situation in the region during a meeting with journalists. He emphasized the condition of the bridge in the Mayaky area, which has strategic importance for the region. According to him, in just the last day, the bridge has been attacked more than 20 times.

“I was just there, an attack happened right before our eyes on the bridge by a 'Shahed' UAV. Fortunately, it did not hit the bridge, but nevertheless, there have been constant attacks over the last day. More than 20 UAV attacks have occurred on this bridge,” noted the Vice Prime Minister.

According to Kuleba, a group of engineers is working on-site with the head of the Restoration Agency to assess the damages and coordinate repair work in difficult conditions due to air threats.

“Currently, passage over this bridge is impossible, however, we are doing everything possible to open it in the shortest possible time. We see how to do it. We understand how to do it. I am confident that if the military helps us do everything to repel UAV attacks, we can achieve it,” emphasized Oleksiy Kuleba.

To ensure communication, a pontoon bridge was deployed yesterday, but its operation is complicated by security protocols. Constant alarms force the State Emergency Service and the police to regulate traffic, organizing reverse movements.

Kuleba noted that despite the difficulties, the authorities are controlling the supply to populated areas that have become “cut off” from the other side. Food and essential goods are regularly delivered, and vehicles from 'Ukrposhta' have been dispatched to provide social services.

“We will work out a separate plan to enhance logistics capabilities. We see it this way. Within a week, we will deploy two alternative logistics routes. One will be permanent, and the other will be another pontoon bridge,” Kuleba noted.

Traffic restrictions are associated with infrastructure damage due to the hit of a hostile drone on the bridge in the area of Mayaky.

The tragedy that claimed the life of 43-year-old Inna Vlaieva on December 18 occurred when the woman, along with her three children, was returning home to Odesa, and a Russian 'Shahed' drone hit their car on the bridge over the Dniester.

The Odesa-Reni route has been temporarily closed to traffic in both directions, and currently, traffic through this section of the road is completely halted.

Transport communication across the Dniestr river, which was limited after the Russian attack, is gradually being restored. Currently, the section is already open for most types of transport.

The situation in Odesa region remains critical. However, local authorities are actively working on the restoration of infrastructure and ensuring the safety of residents. The actions of governments and services in the region are focused on a swift response to attacks and the restoration of transport connections, which is extremely important for ensuring the viability of the territory.