what to remember from Friday March 15

The Ukrainian city of Odessa notably experienced one of the deadliest Russian attacks since the start of the war.

The Ukrainian city of Odessa experienced one of the deadliest Russian attacks since the start of the war on Friday March 15. At least 20 people were killed and 70 injured, according to local authorities. President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced a “absolutely despicable attack.” Meanwhile, the international community has denounced the Russian presidential elections held in occupied Ukrainian territories. Franceinfo takes stock of the highlights of the day.

At least 20 dead in one of the deadliest Russian attacks in Odessa

At least 20 people were killed and 70 injured in one of the worst Russian missile attacks on Odessa, a major port city in southern Ukraine that has already been targeted twice in recent days. “Residents, an ambulance driver and a rescuer”, were among those killed, regional governor Oleg Kiper said on Telegram. At least eight emergency service employees were injured, the prosecutor also said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced a “absolutely despicable attack” carried out using two missiles, the second of which struck “as rescuers and medics arrived at the site of the attack.”

In recent months, Russia has increased attacks on the city and its port, an essential platform for Ukrainian grain exports in the Black Sea via a maritime corridor established by Kiev after Moscow’s exit from an agreement which allowed Ukraine to export its production.

UN chief and dozens of states condemn Russian vote in occupied Ukrainian regions

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and dozens of member states have condemned the holding of the Russian presidential election in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.

“The Secretary General condemns the efforts of the Russian Federation to hold its presidential election in the regions of Ukraine occupied by the Russian Federation. He recalls that the illegal attempt to annex regions of Ukraine has no justification. validity under international law”declared its spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, repeating the attachment of the United Nations to“independence” et al’“territorial integrity” of Ukraine.

In a joint statement read to the press by Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, more than fifty countries (United States, France, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, South Korea, etc.) also “condemned in the strongest terms” the holding of this election in several Ukrainian regions.

Vladimir Putin promises response to attacks on Russian soil

Vladimir Putin promised that Russia would respond to Ukrainian air attacks on its soil, while saying that recent ground incursions by pro-Ukraine fighters were aimed at “disturb” the conduct of the presidential election destined to triumphantly re-elect him.

The Russian army says it has repelled multiple land incursions by fighters from Ukraine since March 12, admitting having had to resort to artillery and aviation.

G7 threatens Iran with “significant” sanctions if it delivers ballistic missiles to Russia

The G7 countries have warned Iran against any delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia, which would lead to “significant new sanctions” against Tehran, according to a joint statement.

“If Iran began delivering ballistic missiles or related technologies to Russia, we would be prepared to respond in a rapid and coordinated manner, including with significant new sanctions”warned the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

“We are very concerned about reports that Iran is considering transfers” such weapons to Russia “having already supplied drones which are used in incessant attacks against civilians in Ukraine”indicate the major industrialized countries.

The United States cannot confirm at this time that deliveries of ballistic missiles have already taken place, but a senior White House official estimated that there were “a real risk of this happening.”

France, Germany and Poland proclaim their unity in support of Ukraine

France, Germany and Poland are “united, determined” And “resolved never to let Russia win”declared Emmanuel Macron in Berlin alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

“We will continue as we have done since day one, never taking the initiative for any escalation”added the French president after weeks of tensions, particularly with Germany, on the strategy of support for Ukraine. “We will continue to support Ukraine and its people for as long as necessary”he assured the press after a three-way summit.