On Wednesday, Russia announced that it had targeted the command centre of the Ukrainian army’s southern group, located in the port city of Odesa, where Kyiv also reported a missile strike that resulted in three casualties. According to Russia’s defence ministry, the attack imnvolved tactical aviation, missile forces, and artillery. It said that Russian forces were improving their positions along the entire front line.
Odesa has been a frequent target of Russian forces in the more than two-year-old war, with many attacks aimed at the city’s port facilities. The city sits on the Black Sea and is a crucial hub for the export of grain. Russia has relentlessly bombarded Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure for months, and in recent weeks, have launched a major operation along the eastern front line, claiming to have captured several towns.
On Tuesday the Russians had bombarded Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city close to the border of its giant neighbour. The International Rescue Committee said the situation in Kharkiv was becoming increasingly untenable for the civilian population given regular air raids. The Guardian quoted the committee as saying “There were severe power outages, interruptions in water and heating supply and the complete halt of trams for public transportation.”
It said that recent attacks had caused “Extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and led to a sharp increase in casualties among the local population … air raid sirens sound day and night”, with people “experiencing heightened anxiety and distress.” President Zelenskyy urged “significant acceleration” in the delivery of weapons and munitions. “We are very much counting on the prompt deliveries from the United States,” The Guardian quoted him as saying, adding that “These supplies must make themselves felt in disrupting the logistics of the occupiers.”
With Inputs From Reuters
