General · 17 January 2026
Odesa families flee under intensifying Russian attacks
Families in Odesa consider evacuation as Russian attacks on Ukraine's third largest city intensify, targeting crucial Black Sea ports. Nine-year-old children monitor air raid alerts daily while living in high-rise apartments overlooking the Black Sea. Recent strikes have damaged civilian vessels and port infrastructure while causing widespread power outages during bitter winter conditions. Putin threatened to cut Ukraine's sea access following Ukrainian attacks on Russian shadow fleet tankers. With 90 percent of Ukraine's exports shipped through the region's three major ports, the economic importance makes Odesa a strategic target.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs