Russia has escalated its strikes on the southern region of Odesa in Ukraine, leading to extensive power outages and jeopardizing the area’s maritime infrastructure.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba remarked that Moscow is executing “systematic” assaults on the region. He cautioned last week that the focus of the conflict “may have shifted towards Odesa”.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the recurring assaults are a tactic by Moscow to obstruct Ukraine’s maritime logistics access.

Earlier in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of cutting off Ukraine’s sea access in response to drone strikes on Russia’s “shadow fleet” tankers in the Black Sea.

“Shadow fleet” designates the numerous tankers Russia utilizes to evade Western sanctions imposed after its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

On Monday evening, strikes affected port facilities in Odesa, damaging a civilian vessel, according to the regional governor.

This was the most recent in a sequence of hundreds of strikes that have disrupted power in the region for numerous days and resulted in various casualties.

On Sunday night, strikes left 120,000 individuals without electricity and ignited a fire at a significant port, destroying multiple containers of flour and vegetable oil.

Last week, a ballistic missile attack on the Pivdenniy port east of Odesa resulted in eight fatalities and at least 30 injuries.

Another strike earlier in the week claimed the life of a woman traveling in a vehicle with her three children and temporarily severed the only bridge connecting Ukraine and Moldova in the Odesa region.

Zelensky suggested that a new air force commander for the region would soon be appointed following the weekend dismissal of Dmytro Karpenko.

The port of Odesa has always been a vital part of the nation’s economy. The city ranks as Ukraine’s third largest after Kyiv and Kharkiv. It now holds strategic significance as other ports in the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolayiv regions have become inaccessible to Ukraine due to Russian occupation.

In spite of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine remains among the leading global exporters of wheat and corn.

Since August 2023, Odesa has served as the starting point for a crucial corridor that enables the export of grain out of the country, tracing the coastlines of Romania and Bulgaria before arriving in Turkey.

Zelensky, who has previously accused Russia of “spreading chaos” among the people of Odesa, asserted that “everyone must recognize that without pressure on Russia, they have no desire to genuinely cease their aggression”.

His remarks followed the conclusion of the latest round of US-led diplomatic efforts in Miami. The US separately engaged with the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, resulting in optimistic statements but no definitive progress toward ending Moscow’s nearly four-year-long war on Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff reported that he and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov had worked on “aligning positions” regarding a 20-point draft peace plan proposed by Ukraine earlier this month. This plan serves as an alternative to a proposal presented by the US in November, perceived as favorable to Moscow.

Before Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev could even return to Moscow from Florida, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov informed journalists that European and Ukrainian adjustments to the peace proposal would not improve the likelihood of achieving peace.

On Monday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov accused EU nations of harboring a “strong intention” to obstruct possible Russia-US agreements on Ukraine and to “generally hinder the improvement of Russia-American relations”.

He also mentioned that European countries were “consumed by a maniacal” fear of a Russian attack. Russia was prepared to confirm through a legal agreement that it had no intention of assaulting either the EU or NATO, Ryabkov remarked, echoing earlier statements from Putin.

“We’ve never intended to [attack Europe], but if they wish to hear it from us, then let’s formalize it in writing,” Putin stated in November.

Russia also executed an early morning aerial assault on the capital Kyiv on Tuesday.

“Air defense forces are addressing the threat in the skies above the capital,” announced the Kyiv military administration. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damages from officials.

Envoys from the US and Ukraine have reported that their discussions in Miami were “productive and constructive,” although significant progress in resolving Ukraine’s conflict with Russia still seems elusive.

Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy, released a joint statement alongside Rustem Umerov, the main Ukrainian negotiator, following three days of consultations with European partners.

They stated that their talks centered on coordinating their stances regarding a 20-point strategy, a “multilateral security guarantee framework,” a “US Security guarantee framework for Ukraine,” and a plan for “economic & prosperity.”

Separate negotiations were also occurring in Miami with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian envoy.

Witkoff and Umerov emphasized in a statement, “Our common priority is halting the violence, ensuring assured security, and creating the conditions necessary for Ukraine’s recovery, stability, and enduring prosperity.”

These meetings represent the latest phase in a series of diplomatic efforts triggered by the publication of a 28-point US peace proposal which alarmed Ukraine and its European allies, suggesting a bias toward Russia, which invaded Ukraine nearly four years ago.

Witkoff noted that Russian representatives had met with him and other US officials in southern Florida, including Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.

He remarked that interactions with Russian envoy Dmitriev were also “productive and constructive” and affirmed that “Russia remains fully dedicated to achieving peace in Ukraine.”

Trump has been urging both Ukraine and Russia to reach an agreement concerning the end of hostilities, yet the two nations have yet to find common ground on crucial matters, including Moscow’s insistence on retaining territory it has already captured.

US intelligence assessments continue to indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin still aims to seize all of Ukraine and recover parts of Europe that were part of the former Soviet Union, according to six sources familiar with US intelligence who spoke to Reuters.

This follows Putin’s remarks to the BBC’s Steve Rosenberg, stating that there would be no further conflicts following Ukraine if Russia is treated with respect.

He stated, “There won’t be any operations if you treat us with respect, if you respect our interests just as we’ve always sought to respect yours.”

In another development, Ukrainian drone strikes reportedly damaged two vessels and two piers in Russia’s Krasnodar region, according to Russian officials on Monday.

The impact resulted in a significant fire, although Russian authorities confirmed that all crew members were evacuated safely. Some reports indicate that oil infrastructure was targeted.

The US Coast Guard is currently in “active pursuit” of another vessel located in international waters close to Venezuela as regional tensions persist.

This month, US officials have already confiscated two oil tankers – with one occurring on Saturday.

According to a US official, the search on Sunday pertains to a “sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is involved in Venezuela’s illicit sanctions evasion”. “It is sailing under a false flag and is subject to a judicial seizure order.”

The US has accused Venezuela of utilizing oil revenue to finance drug-related activities, whereas Venezuela has labeled the seizure of tankers as “theft and kidnapping”.

Last week, US President Donald Trump implemented a “blockade” on sanctioned oil tankers entering and departing the nation.

Venezuela, which possesses the largest proven oil reserves globally, has claimed that the Trump administration is attempting to appropriate its resources.

US officials have yet to officially validate the pursuit from Sunday, and details regarding the tanker’s location and identity remain unknown.

As of last week, over 30 of the 80 vessels in Venezuelan waters or nearing the country were under US sanctions, as per data from TankerTrackers.com.

On Saturday, a Panamanian-flagged tanker was boarded by a specialized tactical unit while in international waters.

Although this vessel is not listed among the US Treasury’s sanctioned vessels, the US stated it was transporting “sanctioned PDVSA oil”. Records accessed by BBC Verify indicate that the ship has also sailed under Greek and Liberian flags in the past five years.

In response to Saturday’s occurrence, the Venezuelan government stated, “These actions will not go unpunished.” It further expressed its intention to submit a complaint to the United Nations Security Council as well as “other multilateral organizations and the global community.”

Venezuela heavily relies on income from its oil exports to support its governmental expenditures.

Recently, the US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and has conducted fatal strikes on purported Venezuelan drug trafficking boats, resulting in approximately 100 fatalities.

Sanctions have also been imposed on some relatives of President Maduro and on enterprises linked to what the US designates his illegitimate regime.

On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed reporters: “It is evident that the status quo with the Venezuelan administration is unacceptable for the United States.”

He mentioned that the aim of the Trump administration is to alter that situation.

Venezuela’s foreign minister criticized his remarks, accusing Rubio of leading the US towards “regime changes”.

There has been no public evidence provided that these vessels were engaging in drug activity, and the military is facing growing scrutiny from Congress regarding the strikes.

The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of heading a designated-terrorist group known as Cartel de los Soles, which he refutes.

The United States has taken control of an oil tanker that had just set sail from Venezuela, as per the US Department of Homeland Security.

This marks the second instance this month where the US has seized an oil tanker off its shores.

This action follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Tuesday regarding a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and exiting Venezuela.

Venezuela has condemned the recent US seizure, labeling it as “theft and kidnapping.” The country has accused the US in the past of attempting to appropriate its resources.

“These actions will not be overlooked,” stated a Venezuelan government declaration, mentioning plans to lodge a complaint with the UN Security Council and “other multilateral organizations and governments worldwide”.

The operation was executed by the US Coast Guard, similar to a previous operation earlier this month. A specialized tactical unit boarded the ship while it was located in international waters.

Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Coast Guard, shared a video of the operation on X.

“In a pre-dawn operation early this morning on Dec 20, the US Coast Guard, with assistance from the Department of War, apprehended an oil tanker that had recently docked in Venezuela,” Noem stated.

She shared a seven-minute video of the operation, depicting US helicopters landing on a ship with the name Centuries displayed on the side.

“The United States will persist in combating the illegal transport of sanctioned oil that funds narco terrorism in the region,” Noem added, stating: “We will locate you, and we will halt you.”

The Centuries is flagged under Panama, but over the past five years, it has also sailed under the flags of Greece and Liberia, according to records reviewed by BBC Verify.

It does not appear on the US Treasury’s roster of sanctioned vessels.

In recent weeks, the US has enhanced its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and has executed lethal strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-trafficking vessels, resulting in approximately 100 casualties.

The US has presented no public proof that these vessels were transporting drugs, and the military faces increasing scrutiny from Congress regarding the airstrikes.

The US has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of overseeing a designated-terrorist organization named Cartel de los Soles, which he denies.

The Trump administration alleges that Maduro and the group are utilizing “stolen” oil to “fund themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping”.

After the seizure of the second vessel, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on X that the US will continue to “unflinchingly conduct maritime interdiction operations… to dismantle illicit criminal networks.”

“Violence, drugs, and disorder will not dominate the Western Hemisphere.”

Venezuela, hosting the world’s largest proven oil reserves, relies heavily on oil export revenues to sustain its government spending.

Trump’s declaration of a “blockade” came shortly after the US captured an oil tanker considered part of a “ghost fleet” off the Venezuelan coast, which reportedly employed various tactics to disguise its operations.

The White House indicated that the vessel in question, named the Skipper, was engaged in “illicit oil transport” and would be taken to a US port.

Venezuela’s government denounced this action, with Maduro asserting that the US “abducted the crew” and “seized” the ship.