Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted and shot down numerous explosive drones and six cruise missiles launched by Russian attackers in a pre-dawn assault on the port of Odesa. This attack occurred just a day after Russia abruptly terminated a deal that allowed Ukraine to ship vital grain supplies from the Black Sea city during the ongoing conflict. The Southern Command of the Ukrainian military reported that the Russian forces first employed the drones to weaken Ukraine’s air defenses before launching the cruise missiles at Odesa.
Fortunately, all six missiles and 25 drones were destroyed by the air defenses in the Odesa region and other areas in the south. However, the debris and shockwaves caused damage to some port facilities and residential buildings, resulting in an elderly man sustaining injuries at his home.
Russia claimed that its decision to halt the grain shipments was unrelated to a strike on a key bridge connecting Moscow-annexed Crimea with Russia. The Kremlin blamed Kyiv’s forces for attacking the bridge using sea drones. While Ukrainian officials did not explicitly take responsibility for the strike, Ukraine’s top security agency appeared to indirectly acknowledge involvement. In response, Russia regarded Tuesday’s strikes along the Black Sea coast as “retribution” for the bridge attack.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that it had employed sea-launched precision weapons to target Ukrainian military facilities near Odesa and Mykolaiv. It claimed that these strikes were in response to the production of sea drones for “terror attacks” against Russia at a shipyard near Odesa. Moreover, the Russian military targeted Ukrainian army fuel depots.
Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, condemned the Odesa attack and warned that it demonstrated the Kremlin’s willingness to endanger the lives of millions of people who rely on Ukrainian grain exports. This move by Russia could contribute to hunger and poverty in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Yermak emphasized that Russia’s goal is to weaken the West through waves of refugees and food scarcity.
The United Nations and Ukraine’s Western allies criticized Moscow for suspending the Black Sea Grain Initiative, highlighting the risk it poses to many lives. In response, the Kremlin stated that the agreement would remain suspended until its demands to lift restrictions on Russian food and fertilizer exports are met.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that it had thwarted a Ukrainian attack on Crimea. The ministry claimed to have shot down 17 attacking drones and jammed 11 others, resulting in no casualties or damage.
In other developments, satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed a large convoy of vehicles arriving at a previously abandoned military base in Belarus. Local authorities offered this base to Russia’s Wagner military contractor after its recent mutiny against Moscow officials. The convoy, consisting of over 100 vehicles bearing Russian flags and Wagner insignia, is the third of its kind to enter Belarus since last week.
In conclusion, the situation between Ukraine and Russia remains tense, with continued military engagements and escalating tensions impacting regional stability. Both sides have engaged in attacks and counterattacks, causing damage to infrastructure and endangering civilian lives. The international community and humanitarian organizations are closely monitoring the situation, as any disruption in grain exports from Ukraine could have far-reaching consequences, exacerbating food insecurity and poverty in various regions worldwide.
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