In Ukraine, Odessa is reeling tonight after a Russian missile strike killed at least 20 people. It's the deadliest attack on the Black Sea port city since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned the attack as a despicable act of cowardice by the Russian military. The strike, which occurred during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, resulted in dozens of confirmed casualties, including both deaths and injuries.
The attack in Odessa is particularly devastating as it involved a double-tap strategy. After an initial missile strike, first responders rushed to the scene to aid the victims. Tragically, a second missile strike hit the area while the first responders were still present, resulting in additional casualties, including among the first responders themselves.
Odessa has been a frequent target of drone and missile attacks in recent times. Just a week ago, President Zelensky was present in Odessa with the Greek Prime Minister when another missile strike occurred nearby, highlighting the ongoing danger faced by the city.
Odessa is a crucial port city for Ukraine, playing a significant role in the country's grain exports. The repeated attacks on Odessa underscore the severity of the conflict and the challenges faced by Ukrainian civilians and authorities in defending against Russian aggression.
