Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis were visiting the Black Sea port of Odesa on Wednesday when a Russian missile hit the infrastructure, close enough for the two leaders to see the strike.
The attack occurred at an estimated distance of 500 to 800 meters from the delegations, sources said.
“You see who we’re dealing with; they don’t care where to hit,” said the Ukrainian President.
The Ukrainian air force announced a ballistic missile threat in the region this morning, but there were no official reports until the press conference after leaders inspected the port and Ukraine’s humanitarian corridor for maritime exports.⚡️Zelenskyy commented on the missile attack on Odesa during his meeting with the Prime Minister of Greece.
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) March 6, 2024
According to the President, as a result of the strike, there are dead and injured.
Earlier in the media, there was information that the occupiers hit the Odesa port with… pic.twitter.com/bCi1x9a4HL
The strike killed five people, a Ukrainian navy spokesperson said.
Mitsotakis, who was on his first visit to the country since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, said that during the tour, the delegation heard sirens and a big explosion as they headed towards their cars.BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 6, 2024
Russia nearly killed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis moments ago.
A Russian missile struck 200m away from Mitsotakis when he was visiting Odesa.
5 Ukrainians were killed
🇬🇷🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/uxaSq9EOYu
“I believe that this is for us the most vivid reminder that there is a real war waging here,” Mitsotakis said, urging other European leaders to visit Ukraine to get a first-hand sense of the war’s impact on civilians.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its troops attacked a hangar housing Ukrainian naval drones in the port, adding that “the goal has been achieved.”
Ukraine’s Black Sea port infrastructure has been a constant target for Russian attacks, which have stepped up since mid-July when Moscow quit a UN brokered deal that allowed safe passage of Ukrainian grain shipments and Kyiv established its own export corridor. Since then, Russia has launched over 880 drone attacks and over 170 missiles on the Odesa region port infrastructure, a Ukrainian navy commander said during the tour.
“No one is intimidated by this new attempt at terror - certainly not the two leaders on the ground nor the brave people of Ukraine,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on social media platform X, commenting on the attack.
Greece assures Kyiv of continuous supportI strongly condemn the vile attack on Odesa by Russia during @ZelenskyyUa and @kmitsotakis's visit.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 6, 2024
No one is intimidated by this new attempt at terror - certainly not the two leaders on the ground nor the brave people of Ukraine.
More than ever, we stand by Ukraine.
Greece, a NATO member and a supporter of Ukraine’s bid to join the military alliance and the European Union, has offered military help to the country. On Wednesday’s visit, Mitsotakis confirmed Greece’s continued support.
“My presence here reflects the respect of the entire free world for your people and underlines Greece’s commitment to remain by your side,” he told Zelenskyy.
The Ukrainian leader once again stressed the importance of air defense capabilities and said countries started work on a bilateral security agreement, similar to one Kyiv has already signed with other countries.
“We discussed what other means we can use to expand the security space in the Black Sea. How we can add protection to our people – both military and civilians. We need more air defense,” Zelenskyy said.
Mitsotakis added that Greece would participate in a high-level Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland.During our conversation, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis @kmitsotakis and I discussed ways to expand the security space in the Black Sea, as well as protect the frontlines and all of our cities, including Odesa. Ukraine requires more air-defense systems.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 6, 2024
We were also… pic.twitter.com/UDc7LVodzd
Leaders also visited a residential building - the site of a Russian drone attack on Saturday that killed 12 people, including five children.
