This just in - breaking news out of Ukraine. President Zelensky has reported that a Russian missile struck near the location where he was meeting with the Greek prime minister in Odessa on the Black Sea. The attack resulted in casualties, with five individuals confirmed dead and several others wounded.
It remains uncertain whether President Zelensky was the intended target of the missile strike, which occurred near or within the port of Odessa. The Ukrainian leader described hearing the explosion and witnessing the missile's descent, indicating the proximity of the blast to himself and the Greek prime minister.
During a subsequent press conference, President Zelensky emphasized the need for self-defense measures, particularly highlighting the importance of an air defense system. He expressed concern for the victims of the attack, stating, 'We need to defend ourselves first and foremost.'
Following the incident, the Ukrainian Navy disclosed that in addition to the five fatalities, several individuals sustained injuries. Russian authorities have claimed that the strike targeted a warehouse allegedly housing unmanned sea drones belonging to the Ukrainians, although this assertion has not been independently verified.
The close proximity of the missile strike to President Zelensky and the Greek prime minister underscores the potential severity of the situation. Fortunately, both leaders emerged unharmed from the incident, averting a potentially catastrophic outcome.
