Ukraine-Russia war: Medic among 20killed in Odesa missile strikes
A twin missile assault by Russian forces targeted the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 individuals and injuring over 70, according to local authorities.
Casualties include emergency medical team members responding to the initial strike.
Reports from Ukrainian officials indicate that the initial missile struck residential areas and civilian infrastructure, and as emergency responders arrived, a second missile hit the same location.
Russia has not provided any statement regarding the incident.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the attack as “abhorrent” and vowed that Russia would face repercussions.
A military spokesperson stated that the missiles were launched from the Crimea region, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.
Oleh Kiper, the regional head of Odesa, revealed that among those killed in the second strike were a medic and a rescuer.
Odesa, situated on the Black Sea coast, serves as a significant port, though the exact target of the attack remains unclear. Saturday has been declared a day of mourning in response to the tragedy.
The bombardments struck residential buildings, cars, and a gas pipeline, according to local authorities quoted by AFP news agency.
“Russia continues to terrorize Odesa… residents, medical and emergency workers are among the victims and injured,” Andriy Kostin, Ukraine’s prosecutor general, the Reuters news agency reported.
It is not the first attack launched on the city in recent weeks with explosions rocking Odesa while President Zelensky met the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis there earlier this month.
The latest attack comes on the first day of presidential elections being held, with Vladimir Putin all but certain to win a further term.
