Russia attacked the Ukrainian regions of Odessa and Mikolayiv (south) on Wednesday evening with a total of 19 cruise missiles targeting “ports, docks, homes and businesses”, The Ukrainian Air Force said on Thursday.
This is the third consecutive night that Russia has attacked port facilities in southern Ukraine, after Moscow announced on Monday the suspension of its grain export deal, under which it pledged to allow Ukrainian grain to be exported through the Black Sea and not to build infrastructure. related to the production and export of agricultural products.
“The occupiers have returned to attack the southern region of Ukraine,” the Air Force report reads.
“This time Odessa and Mikolayiv were targeted by the missiles,” he added.
The attack left more than 20 injured in both regions and the missiles damaged or destroyed several buildings, with damage to port infrastructure unknown.
Last night, #Russian invaders hit the center of #Mykolaiv. According to the latest data, 18 people were injured, 9 of them were hospitalized, including five children. The Russians also attacked #Odesa again. The administrative building was destroyed, 4 people were injured. pic.twitter.com/28xzF01TUt
– NEXTA (@nexta_tv) July 20, 2023
Ruins of an administrative building in Odessa that was hit by a Russian missile last night.
The Russian missile was an anti-ship missile called Oniks. The Ukrainian air defense cannot shoot them down at the moment, because they are flying at a speed of more than 3,000 km/h and flying low over the… pic.twitter.com/bxVxNdcTb2
– Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) July 20, 2023
In addition to the 19 missiles, Russia launched 19 kamikaze ‘shahed’ drones against Ukrainian territory on Wednesday evening, the air force said, which managed to intercept five missiles and 13 drones.
Speaking to the nation last night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to use more anti-aircraft systems to protect cities and ports.
Wednesday’s rocket attack destroyed several silos at the port of Chornomorsk in the Odessa region, one of three Black Sea ports through which Ukraine exported grain.
❗️Another Russian massive attack on Ukraine tonight. Mykolaiv and Odessa regions again. 18 injured, including 5 children. Our anger is boundless. pic.twitter.com/kyNRtcsalg
– UNITED24.media (@United24media) July 20, 2023
About 60,000 tons that were to be exported to China were lost as a result of this attack, which Kernel, owner of the damaged infrastructure, said caused damage to the port that could take about a year to repair.
If Russian attacks on ports continue, Kernel warned in a statement, grain prices could rise between 30% and 40%.
Ukraine has denounced that Russian attacks on ports and the suspension of the grain deal are an attempt to provoke food disruptions in Africa and Asia, continents largely dependent on Ukrainian grains, to provoke a refugee crisis that could allies of Kiev in Western Europe.
Source: DN
