Seven People Killed in Russian Rocket Attack on Odesa

SadaNews - Ukrainian officials reported that 7 people were killed and around 15 injured in a Russian rocket attack targeting the infrastructure of the Odesa port on the Black Sea late last night (Friday).

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kulyba wrote on the Telegram app: "Late in the evening on Friday, Russia launched a rocket attack on the infrastructure of a port in the Odesa region." He added: "Preliminary information indicates that 7 people were killed, and about 15 others are receiving treatment."

A source familiar with the situation stated that the attack was on the Pivdennyi port, one of three ports in the region. Odesa, a crucial point for Ukrainian grain exports and other exports, has been a repeated target of Russian attacks since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to Reuters.

The intensity of the attacks has increased in recent days, often leading to long and widespread power outages.

The attack on Thursday damaged a bridge southwest of Odesa, cutting a major route between the city and the Reni port on the Danube River, causing a crisis at the border crossings to Moldova and Romania.

Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on Telegram that the government is making efforts to ensure smooth travel through road and rail for residents and commercial vehicles.

Kulyba stated that Ukraine is in touch with the authorities in Moldova to find alternative routes away from the affected area to enable trucks and passengers to cross the border. In Moldova, authorities set up temporary camps at the border crossing points to provide shelter and food for travelers facing delays on their way to Ukraine.

In related news, Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's chief negotiator, stated yesterday (Friday) that talks with American and European negotiators regarding resolving the war with Russia have concluded, adding that the parties involved agreed to continue their joint efforts.

Umerov wrote on the Telegram app: "We agreed with our American partners to take further steps and to continue our joint work in the near future." He added that he informed President Volodymyr Zelensky about the outcomes of the talks.