Russian Missile Explodes Near Ukrainian Port City of Odesa During Zelenskyy’s Meeting with Greek PM
In a shocking turn of events, a Russian missile exploded in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, just moments after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The missile struck dangerously close to where the two leaders were present, sending shockwaves through the region. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
The missile hit a mere couple of hundred meters away from Zelenskyy and Mitsotakis, causing panic and chaos in the area. A source revealed, “It hit in a couple of hundred meters (about 300 feet) from us, while the meeting was going.” This close call was unprecedented, excluding Zelenskyy’s visits to the front lines to meet with troops. The source emphasized that this incident was the closest encounter with danger that Zelenskyy has faced so far.
The meeting between Zelenskyy and Mitsotakis had taken place in the port city of Odesa, where they were showcasing the strategic importance of the region. After the tour, as they were preparing to leave in their car, an air raid siren pierced the air, followed by the deafening explosion of the missile hitting the port. It was a terrifying moment for both leaders, but fortunately, neither of them sustained any injuries.
While it is unclear whether Zelenskyy was the intended target of the missile strike, sources suggest that the Russians were likely launching missiles at their usual targets. A Ukrainian spokesperson for the joint press center of the Ukrainian Southern Defense Forces stated, “Yes, a missile strike was carried out in Odesa, probably by a ballistic weapon, hitting one of the buildings in the port infrastructure. But this is not in any way related to a specific visit. It is related to the terror that the enemy is carrying out quite methodically.”
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed responsibility for the strike, stating that they had successfully hit a hangar in the port where unmanned boats of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were being prepared. However, a source from the Biden administration expressed doubts about Zelenskyy being the target, describing the attack as dangerous and reckless.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of Russia’s relentless aggression towards Ukraine. The U.S. National Security Council spokesperson emphasized, “It is yet another reminder of how Russia is continuing to attack Ukraine recklessly every single day and of Ukraine’s urgent needs, in particular, for air defense interceptors.” The international community must remain vigilant and support Ukraine in its efforts to defend itself against such brazen acts of aggression.
Tragically, at least five people lost their lives in the Russian strike on Odesa, according to a Ukrainian navy spokesman. Zelenskyy expressed his sorrow during a joint press conference, stating, “You see who we’re dealing with, they don’t care where to hit. I know that there were victims today. I don’t know all the details yet, but I know that there are dead, there are wounded.”
As tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Ukraine, it is crucial for world leaders to condemn such acts of violence and work towards a peaceful resolution. The safety and security of innocent civilians should always be the top priority, and any further aggression must be met with a strong and united response from the international community.
ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez, Natalia Shumskaia, and Natalia Popova contributed to this report.