A Russian missile attack has struck critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, killing at least seven people and wounding fifteen others. The assault on the Black Sea port of Pivdennyi in the Odesa region occurred late on Friday night, marking another brutal escalation targeting Ukraine's vital export corridors.
Grain Ports Under Sustained Fire
Ukrainian officials confirmed the deadly strike on one of three ports crucial for the export of grain and other commodities. The port city of Odesa has been a frequent focal point for Russian attacks throughout the invasion, now in its 1,396th day. The assault follows a Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian "shadow fleet" tanker off the coast of Libya earlier on Friday, a significant first for Kyiv in the Mediterranean theatre.
In response to the disruption, Ukraine's deputy prime minister, Oleksiy Kuleba, stated that discussions are underway with Moldovan authorities to establish alternative routes for trucks and passengers. Across the border, Moldova has set up temporary camps to provide shelter and food for travellers stranded en route to Ukraine.
EU Financial Lifeline and Intelligence Warnings
Amid the violence, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed a substantial financial commitment from the European Union. A €90 billion loan was secured on Friday to meet Ukraine's urgent financial needs, a move Zelenskyy described as "significant support that truly strengthens our resilience." The loan is structured to last two years, with a unique condition: Kyiv would only be required to repay it if and when Russia pays war reparations.
This support comes against a backdrop of stark intelligence assessments regarding Vladimir Putin's ambitions. According to six sources familiar with US intelligence, Putin intends to capture all of Ukraine and reclaim parts of Europe that belonged to the former Soviet empire. This report, the most recent of which dates from late September, directly contradicts claims from Donald Trump's camp that Putin seeks an end to the conflict and the Russian leader's own denials of being a threat to Europe.
Miami Peace Talks and Diverging Visions
The geopolitical manoeuvring continues as a new round of peace talks, led by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and the former president's son-in-law Jared Kushner, commenced in Miami over the weekend. The discussions include top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov and officials from Britain, France, and Germany. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who may join the talks, emphasised that "We can't force Ukraine to make a deal. We can't force Russia to make a deal. They have to want to make a deal."
Umerov stated his mandate is to act "clearly in line with the priorities defined by the [Ukrainian] president: security must be guaranteed reliably and in the long term." Meanwhile, Putin's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, is also heading to Miami, though a Russian source told Reuters that any direct meeting with Ukrainian negotiators has been ruled out. The talks are based on an amended version of a peace plan, earlier drafts of which were criticised by the EU and Ukraine for being slanted toward Russia.
These diplomatic efforts unfold as President Putin, during his annual news conference, vowed to press ahead with his military offensive, asserting that "the ball is now fully and completely" in the court of Kyiv and its Western allies regarding ending the war.
