On 6 March 2024, a Russian missile exploded in Odesa, Ukraine near a meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, killing five people.
| 6 March 2024 Odesa strike | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Odesa strikes (2022–present) and Russian invasion of Ukraine | |
| Location | Odesa, Ukraine |
| Date | 6 March 2024 10:40 (EET) |
| Executed by | Russia |
| Casualties | Five killed |
Attack
editThe attack occurred at around 10:40 local time (11:40 Moscow time)[1] during a visit by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Ukraine, during which he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the city's port area and was to visit a building damaged in a previous attack on 2 March that killed twelve people, including five children,[2] and meet with members of the Greek community.[3] Ukrainian authorities issued an air-raid warning in Odesa Oblast at 10:40, which was followed by a powerful explosion. At 10:45, the Ukrainian Air Force reported a threat of ballistic missile use in the area.[4]
Greek state minister Stavros Papastavrou said that the missile landed about 150 meters from where Mitsotakis and Zelenskyy were meeting.[5] Another source described the attack as the "closest call ever" on Zelenskyy's life.[6] Mitsotakis later said that it occurred as they were getting inside their cars,[1] adding that they "did not have time to get to a shelter."[2] However, the source and a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Southern Defense Forces stated that they believed it was not intentionally targeting the two leaders, who were unharmed.[6]
The Ukrainian military said five people were killed in the attack and several others were injured.[7] The Russian Defence Ministry claimed that it had successfully targeted a hangar in the port of Odesa storing Ukrainian naval drones.[1] There were no casualties among Mitsotakis' delegation.[5]
Reactions
editIn a joint press conference with Mitsotakis following the attack, Zelenskyy said that Russia did not "care where to hit" and that it had "either gone crazy or they don't control what their terrorist army is doing". Mitsotakis described the incident as "a very intense experience".[6][2]
A spokesperson for the United States National Security Council described the attack as "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."[6]
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack, describing it as "vile" and a "new attempt at terror" by Russia.[2][8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Stapleton, AnneClaire; Butenko, Victoria; Giokos, Eleni; Edwards, Christian; Gigova, Radina (6 March 2024). "Zelensky: Russian missile strike hits near Ukraine and Greek leaders in Odesa". CNN. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Ukraine war: Explosions hit Odesa as Zelensky meets Greek PM". BBC. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Russia attacks Odesa during Zelensky, Greek PM visit, killing 5". The Kyiv Independent. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Russian strike on Odesa kills 5 people". Ukrainska Pravda. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Reports of explosion in Odesa prior to Zelenskyy-Mitsotakis meeting". Kathimerini. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Missile explodes near Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting with Greek prime minister: Sources". ABC News. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Military: Russia's missile attack on Odesa not connected to Zelensky, Greek PM visit". The Kyiv Independent. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Russia attacks Ukraine's Odesa as Greek PM visits war-stricken city". Al Jazeera. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.