Russia is stepping up strikes on Odessa and Ukrainian port infrastructure, while Kyiv is negotiating with the US on monthly deliveries of Patriot missiles. Zelensky also announced the possible deployment of up to 50,000 North Korean military personnel on Russian territory and the detection of North Korean missiles in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian strikes on Russian logistics and oil infrastructure are affecting the operation of Wildberries and the transportation of Kazakh oil across the Black Sea.
Russia attacked Odessa with ballistic missiles
Russia struck Odessa and the Odessa region on the night of August 9, damaging the city's port and other infrastructure. According to Reuters, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the seaport in Odessa was damaged and people were injured in the city. Ukrainian authorities also reported damage to homes, cars and infrastructure, with the number of casualties later rising to 12. Seven people were moderately injured, most of them with shrapnel wounds.
Russia used ballistic, anti-ship and anti-radar missiles, as well as a significant number of strike drones, in the attack. According to the Air Force, 202 drones and Banderol barrage munitions were fired across Ukraine, with 174 drones and five Banderols shot down or suppressed by air defense systems. The strikes left part of Odessa without electricity, and water and mobile phone services were disrupted in some areas. Energy and utility companies are working to restore damaged systems, while rescuers, medics and law enforcement are at the scene of the strikes.
Zelensky: Ukraine has agreements with the US on monthly supplies of Patriot missiles
Ukraine has agreements with the US on monthly supplies of interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, but the quantity received is not enough for the needs of Ukrainian air defense. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this during a conversation with media representatives in Belgrade. According to him, the United States remains the main producer of anti-ballistic missiles, so Kyiv continues to work with Washington to ensure the necessary supplies. “Who has anti-ballistic missiles and the system? The manufacturer. This is the United States of America, first of all. Can they help? We are working. Will they allocate missiles to us every month? Yes. We have agreements. Are these missiles enough? No,” Zelensky said.
Later, Zelensky clarified that the agreements were reached within the framework of the PURL program, through which Ukraine purchases weapons, primarily air defense systems, from the United States at the expense of partners. The President also reported that the number of interceptor missiles that Ukraine receives in 2026 has decreased compared to the previous year. “I am not talking about a clear figure, I cannot prepare “Russian” ones, and I cannot (name it – ed.) in relation to our partners. There were fewer of these missiles in 2026. In 2025, there were more,” the President noted. At the same time, the Ukrainian side continues to work on increasing supplies, since Patriots are used to counter ballistic missiles.
Zelenskyy said that Russia could deploy up to 50 thousand North Korean soldiers on its territory
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, that Russia could deploy from 30 to 50 thousand North Korean soldiers on its territory. According to him, the decision on such a deployment has already been made, although he did not specify from which sources he received this information. Earlier in July, Zelensky estimated the possible number of North Korean troops at 30,000, so the new estimate suggests a potential increase in their presence. The president also said that Ukraine had discovered North Korean missiles on its territory, but did not disclose where they were found.
Zelensky said that North Korea continues to receive experience in modern warfare and military technology from Russia.
“It is absolutely obvious that North Korea will continue to increase its experience in modern warfare, receive licenses from Russia and receive all kinds of military equipment from them,” he said.
The Ukrainian president also called on South Korea to strengthen cooperation with Kyiv, including helping Ukraine with air defense. According to Reuters, North Korea has already sent about 14,000 troops to Russia in 2024, and this month Ukrainian military intelligence reported the deployment of a North Korean missile unit in western Russia.
Ukrainian strikes on Wildberries warehouses hit Russian retail sector
Ukrainian attacks on Wildberries warehouses in Russia have caused widespread disruptions to the operations of Russia’s largest e-commerce company. According to Reuters, at least 20 of the company’s facilities have been hit since July 18, causing fires, destroying inventory and disrupting the company’s logistics network. Satellite imagery analysis showed that at least 1.18 million square meters of warehouse space, more than a fifth of Wildberries’ capacity, was damaged or destroyed. The disruptions have affected not only the company itself and its franchise outlets, but also tens of thousands of entrepreneurs who use the platform to sell goods.
The attacks have already affected the operation of delivery points and sales of small businesses associated with Wildberries. The owner of one of the Moscow outlets, Vasily Klimov, said that his sales have fallen by about 50% and the company has become unprofitable.
“It is absolutely obvious that North Korea will continue to increase its experience in modern warfare, receive licenses from Russia and receive all kinds of military equipment from them,” he said.
According to Reuters, at least 3,100 Wildberries franchises have been put up for sale, and about 300 companies have approached banks for loan restructuring after their financial situation worsened.
The US announced an agreement with Ukraine not to attack individual tankers and oil infrastructure
Ukraine has agreed not to attack individual non-Russian oil tankers and the infrastructure of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which is used to export Kazakh oil. This was also reported by a US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement is private. According to him, Ukraine has created special contact points through which commercial shipping companies can transfer information to ensure the safe passage of vessels. The agreement, the result of negotiations between U.S. and Ukrainian officials on July 31, is intended to help restore more stable oil supplies through the Black Sea.
The vessels are not subject to Ukrainian sanctions, are not carrying Russian oil or other Russian cargo, and are not owned by Russian individuals or entities. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium is a key route for Kazakhstan’s oil exports, and its terminal typically handles about 2 percent of the world’s crude oil. After attacks on ships near the terminal, shipowners have begun to avoid the route, leading to reduced traffic and higher freight rates. According to Baltic Exchange, the profitability of tankers carrying CPC oil to the Mediterranean exceeded $400,000 per day on Friday, a record for the route.
Photo: REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Author: Danylo Pievchev