Image@ BBC
A significant overnight attack by Russian forces on the Black Sea port city of Odesa has resulted in the deaths of three individuals, as reported by local authorities.
Oleh Kiper, the governor of the Odesa region, described the “massive” missile and drone assault as part of a sustained offensive that has persisted for five consecutive days.
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the operation specifically aimed at port facilities utilized for the unloading of petroleum products.
These strikes coincide with a visit to Kyiv by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is in discussions regarding collaboration between European and Ukrainian defense sectors.
In a statement on Telegram, Kiper accused Russia of intentionally targeting civilians alongside critical industrial and port infrastructure.
He noted that a missile strike on a multi-storey residential building resulted in casualties among residents.
The governor also reported damage to a non-residential structure and a gas pipeline due to the attacks.
Meanwhile, Russia contended that its strikes were directed at locations involved in military equipment production and cargo transportation.
Recent Russian offensives have focused on Ukraine’s deepwater Black Sea ports in the Odesa vicinity, which are crucial for handling a significant portion of the nation’s grain exports and play a vital role in its wartime economy.
Ukraine also announced that its drones successfully struck 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea.
This follows a series of aggressive actions against Russian ships in the Sea of Azov, which lies between Crimea and Ukraine’s eastern coast.
These Ukrainian operations have compelled Russia, the leading global grain exporter, to impose restrictions on shipping activities in the Sea of Azov, a route responsible for about 25% of its grain shipments, according to reports from Reuters.
Amid these ongoing assaults, Ukraine is grappling with a complex political landscape, highlighted by President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to dismiss Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko after less than a year in office.
The Ukrainian parliament approved Svyrydenko’s resignation on Tuesday, although some lawmakers expressed concerns about the clarity of the reasons behind the leadership change.
Serhiy Koretskyi, head of the state oil and gas company Naftogaz, is considered a strong candidate to succeed Svyrydenko, with a parliamentary vote on his appointment scheduled for Thursday.
On Wednesday morning, Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv, sharing on social media that it was a “special moment” marking her 11th visit since the onset of the conflict.
She indicated that new initiatives would be introduced to enhance production capabilities for both sides.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong