Russian Missile Strike on Odesa Coincides with Greek Prime Minister’s Visit – Sky Bulletin

Amid the visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Odesa became the target of a Russian missile strike, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported to journalists on March 6.

An air raid siren blared through the city at about 10:40 a.m. local time, potentially signifying the assault’s timing.

“Today’s strike is evident; it shows the character of our adversary, their disregard for the targets,” Zelensky commented, referencing a statement by Suspilne. He mentioned there were fatalities and casualties resulting from the attack.

During a joint news briefing alongside Zelensky, Mitsotakis recalled hearing the air raid warning while touring the port facilities of Odesa with the president and his aides.

The Prime Minister recounted, “After a short time, as we were about to get into our vehicles, a powerful explosion occurred.”

Mitsotakis underscored the event as a compelling reason for European leaders to visit Ukraine, to “experience the reality of the war first-hand.”

As per Greek government official Stavros Papastavrou, none of the Greek delegation members were harmed by the blast that happened nearby, roughly 150 meters away, as reported by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini.

The Greek Prime Minister and President Zelensky later proceeded to a meeting within the administrative quarters of the Odesa port, followed by a visit to a nine-story building struck by a Russian drone on March 2, causing the deaths of 12 individuals, which included five children.

With a significant Greek diaspora residing in Odesa, Mitsotakis seized the opportunity to engage with them.

Mitsotakis acknowledged Odesa’s historic significance to Hellenism in the Black Sea region, highlighting Mariupol as well. He emphasized Odesa’s reconstruction, especially the historic city center, as a priority in Greek rebuilding plans announced in August 2023.

The Prime Minister also pointed out the economic significance of Odesa, functioning as Ukraine’s chief port for exports to Europe and beyond, advocating for the maintenance of open shipping channels to facilitate Ukrainian exports.

Following Russia’s cessation of the Black Sea grain deal, Ukraine established a new shipping corridor in August 2023. Since then, over 30 million metric tonnes of agricultural products have been shipped through Odesa’s ports.

FAQ Section

Q: What was the significance of the Greek Prime Minister’s visit to Odesa?
A: Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Odesa due to its historical Greek connections and to emphasize the vital role of the city’s port in Ukrainian exports. He also aimed to showcase support for Odesa’s rebuilding efforts.

Q: Were there any casualties during the missile strike in Odesa?
A: President Zelensky mentioned that there were both deaths and injuries, however, no casualties were reported among the visiting Greek delegation.

Q: What is the main purpose of the newly established shipping corridor in Odesa?
A: The shipping corridor was set up to facilitate the export of Ukrainian products through the Black Sea, particularly agricultural goods, after Russia terminated the Black Sea grain deal.

Q: Has the shipping corridor been successful?
A: Yes, since its establishment, the corridor has seen over 30 million metric tonnes of goods exported, with record levels reached in February as reported by Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry.

Conclusion

During an important diplomatic visit by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Odesa, a city with deep historical ties to Greece, the area was subject to a Russian missile attack. Despite the dangers, no injuries were reported among the Greek delegation. The incident underscores the ongoing risks and challenges faced by Ukraine amidst its efforts to maintain economic stability and rebuild key infrastructures, highlighting the critical need for international support and solidarity.

Note: The above article is based on information obtained from various sources, including Suspilne and Kathimerini, and has been articulated with a synthetic news feed approach. For further details on the original incident, readers are directed to the reference link at https://kyivindependent.com/russia-attacks-odesa-during-visit-of-greek-pm/. The UBJ does not claim ownership or authorship of the initial news content.