Moscow / Odessa – Russia has launched missile attacks on Odessa, a key port and third-largest city in Ukraine. The attacks targeted US weapons stockpiles and the runway at Odessa Airport. Besides, Russia has increased attacks in Odessa and nearby regions in the last few days, and the city is said to be Russia’s main target after Mariupol. Meanwhile, more than 80 civilians had been safely evacuated from the Mariupol steel factory in the last 48 hours. The United Nations has confirmed this.
Last month, Russia had announced that the second phase of its military campaign had begun in Ukraine. The Russian defence forces are said to have set a goal to seize eastern and southern Ukraine at this stage. For this, the Russian troops have launched aggressive attacks. Attacks on the eastern Donbass front have been intensified, with Russia succeeding in seizing several towns and strategic areas in the region. Russia has since shifted its front to southern Ukraine, and the attacks launched on the nearby areas, including Odessa, are considered part of it.
Once the leading and free port of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, Odessa has a population of over one million. The city is a significant hub for shipbuilding, fuel, and communications, and the port also once had Russia’s naval base. During the uprising in Ukraine in 2014, there was a massive clash between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian supporters in Odessa. If Russia seizes this city, it would be easier for Russia to gain control of southern Ukraine.
Russia is believed to be focusing on Odessa after its capture of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine. In the last few days, Russian forces have begun to increase their attacks on Odessa in stages. It seems that Russia’s attacks of high-precision missiles on Odessa on Saturday have signalled a sign of more significant action in the future. The runway at Odessa Airport has been completely destroyed in the missile strikes. At the same time, the Russian Defence Ministry has claimed that US weapons were destroyed near the airport.
Meanwhile, a campaign has been launched to evacuate civilians from a steel factory in the Russia-seized city of Mariupol. The Russian Defence Ministry informed more than 80 Ukrainians were evacuated from the factory on Saturday and Sunday. This includes mainly women and children. Russia clarified that one of the liberated groups was taken to Donetsk. The United Nations has confirmed the evacuation of civilians from the steel factory.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is on a visit to Ukraine, and she met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the capital, Kyiv. At this time, Pelosi assured the US would supply assistance to Ukraine till the end.
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