President Volodymyr Zelenskiy renewed his call for “a fully-fledged sky shield” after Kremlin forces unleashed a missile barrage against Odesa overnight. It was the largest in a string of almost daily strikes on the Black Sea port city after Moscow pulled out of the UN-brokered Ukrainian grain export deal on July 17. Russia aims to neutralize international efforts to renew the functioning of the grain corridor, Ukrainian Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said on Facebook.
(Bloomberg) — President Volodymyr Zelenskiy renewed his call for “a fully-fledged sky shield” after Kremlin forces unleashed a missile barrage against Odesa overnight. It was the largest in a string of almost daily strikes on the Black Sea port city after Moscow pulled out of the UN-brokered Ukrainian grain export deal on July 17. Russia aims to neutralize international efforts to renew the functioning of the grain corridor, Ukrainian Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said on Facebook.
The attack damaged infrastructure, houses and other buildings, including some 25 landmarks in the city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage location. A total of 19 missiles were launched by Russia, including some from bases in Crimea, with air defense able to shoot down nine. One person was killed and at least 21 injured, including four children. Zelenskiy vowed retaliation, and Ukraine’s defense ministry called the strike “a war crime.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin met in St. Petersburg with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko. In broadcast remarks Lukashenko joked about the Wagner militia fighters now assembling en masse in his country, saying they’ve asked him “for permission” to “go on a trip to Warsaw.” “Of course I am keeping them in central Belarus, like we agreed,” the Belarusian strongman added.
The comments were the latest provocative remarks by Russia or its ally about NATO member Poland, which has recently reinforced its border with Belarus with extra troops. Putin on Friday claimed that Polish authorities were considering seizing parts of western Ukraine — a comment that saw Poland summon Russia’s ambassador. Lukashenko on Sunday similarly referenced “the dismemberment of Ukraine and the transfer of lands to Poland.”
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