At least 21 individuals have tragically lost their lives, with over 70 others sustaining injuries, following a Russian Missile Attack on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa on Friday.
The assault, characterised by a “double-tap strike,” saw a second Iksander-M ballistic missile hitting a residential area after the initial impact, as confirmed by local governor Oleh Kiper.
The city of Odesa has endured a relentless barrage of attacks from Russian drones or missiles, a grim reality that has persisted throughout this month.
Among the casualties were a paramedic and a rescue worker, who tragically lost their lives while providing assistance at the scene after the initial explosion, as stated by Mr. Kiper.
The intensity of the explosion, particularly the second strike, underscores the devastating impact of the powerful missiles originating from the occupied Crimea, with Mr. Kiper describing their trajectory as spanning mere minutes.
This assault marks an escalation in Russia’s targeting of the southern city in recent weeks, with Odesa serving as a crucial hub for Ukrainian grain exports, pivotal to the nation’s economic stability.
The repercussions of this latest attack are profound, representing the deadliest incident in weeks within Ukraine.
Andriy Kostin, Ukraine’s prosecutor general, decried Russia’s continued campaign of terror in Odesa, emphasising the toll exacted on civilians, medical personnel, and emergency responders.
The destruction wrought by the assault is extensive, with a three-storey recreational facility obliterated, along with at least 10 private residences, a low-pressure gas pipeline, and numerous rescue vehicles, according to the southern military command.
Rescue efforts were compounded by fires engulfing both the pipeline and a private residence, necessitating a concerted response from emergency services.
Disturbing footage circulating online depicts the harrowing scenes of civilians and rescue workers being evacuated from the site, underscoring the human toll exacted by the attack.
The gravity of the situation prompted Mr. Kiper to declare a day of mourning to be observed on Saturday, marking the second such occasion in less than two weeks.
Andriy Yermak, a top adviser to President Zelensky, condemned the attacks as emblematic of Russia’s vulnerability, portraying the onslaught as an act of desperation targeting Ukrainian civilians amidst the Russian state’s inability to safeguard its own populace.
Polish PM Urges US House Speaker to Approve Aid to Ukraine Amid Tragedy in Odessa
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, to finally take steps to approve aid to Ukraine, advising him to consider the consequences of Russia’s strikes on Odessa.
In a brief statement published on his Twitter account on the afternoon of March 16, Tusk expressed his concern over the situation, which has resulted in 21 deaths in Odessa due to Russian missile strikes, with another injured Emergency Services employee succumbing to their wounds in the hospital.
Look at Odessa, @SpeakerJohnson!How many more arguments do you need to take a decision?
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) March 16, 2024
It’s worth noting that earlier this week, it emerged that Johnson had effectively agreed to unlock the decision on aid to Ukraine, but with significant changes – to make it a project from the House of Representatives and aid in the form of a loan or lend-lease.
Additionally, he conceded that aid to Ukraine and Israel would indeed be split into separate projects. Any new project would need to garner sufficient votes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
This week, the United States announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth $300 million, the first such announcement since December. According to explanations provided, these funds materialized as a result of unexpected savings from contracts from previously financed aid packages.
Polish leaders, President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, during their visit to Washington earlier this week, discussed with the US President, among other things, how to maintain and strengthen support for Ukraine.
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