The agreement signed on Friday hinted at a way out of the crisis. By finding common ground to export the Ukrainian grain blocked in the Black Sea ports, Moscow and kyiv enabled the resumption of trade. But the strikes that hit the port of Odessa on Saturday July 23 look like a serious setback to the process that seemed to be starting. Franceinfo takes stock of the situation, on the 150th day of war.
Russian strikes on Odessa
Russian missiles hit the port of Odessa “where grain is processed for shipment”, the Ukrainian air force spokesman said. “We shot down two missiles, and two other missiles hit the port territory, where, obviously, there is grain,” he said. With these strikes, the Russian President has “spit in the face of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Turkish President Recep (Tayyip) Erdogan, who have worked hard to reach this agreement”said the spokesman of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleg Nikolenko.
Antonio Guterres has “unequivocally condemned” these attacks, emphasizing that “full implementation (of the agreement) by the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Turkey is imperative”. The governor of the region clarified later in the day that these strikes caused injuries, without specifying how many, and that the port infrastructures were “damaged”.
Volodymyr Zelensky accuses, Moscow denies
In response to these strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy accused Russia of systematically violating its commitments. “It only proves one thing: no matter what Russia says and promises, it will find ways not to implement it”he said during a meeting with a delegation of American elected officials, according to a press release from the presidency.
For its part, Moscow has denied any involvement with Ankara. “The Russians told us they had absolutely nothing to do with this attack and were looking into the matter very closely”affirmed the Turkish Defense Minister, who said to himself “concerned” by the strikes.
Russian missiles kill at least three
At least three people, including a soldier, were killed when Russian missiles fired on railway infrastructure and a military airfield in central Ukraine, announced the governor of Kirovograd.
In a statement posted earlier on social media, Andriy Raikovych, head of the region, said 13 Russian cruise missiles launched from the sea fell near the town of Kropyvnytskyi located in this region.
Two Americans killed in Donbass
Two Americans have died in Donbass, eastern Ukraine, the State Department confirmed, without specifying whether they were indeed combatants, nor the date and circumstances of their death, or the reasons of their presence in the country. “We are in contact with the families and provide them with all possible consular assistance”he added, explaining that the State Department would not provide more details for the time being, “out of respect for loved ones”.