Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have been reviewing injury accomplished to the coastal metropolis of Odesa when a Russian ballistic missile struck close by. Sources within the metropolis indicated the missile landed inside just a few hundred meters of Zelenskyy. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian navy indicated that at the least 5 individuals died within the assault.
The strike’s proximity to Zelenskyy’s motorcade has led some observers to label this an tried assassination. Nonetheless, capturing the historic Black Sea metropolis has lengthy been one among Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s prime targets for the unlawful invasion of Ukraine, and missile assaults on the town have been frequent.
Barring extra proof, it’s seemingly that this missile was not meant particularly to assassinate the Ukrainian president, however was solely a part of Russia’s ongoing marketing campaign of indiscriminate assaults towards civilian areas. Hundreds of Ukrainians have died of their houses, companies, and at gathering locations like buying malls.
The missile hit Odesa on Wednesday morning after Zelenskyy had simply completed displaying Mitsotakis amenities on the port which have served as the first location for Ukrainian grain shipments and have often come beneath assault by Russia. Although Zelenskyy’s go to to Odesa was not introduced, he and Mitsotakis had been within the metropolis for a number of hours at that time and their location was identified.
So it’s attainable that somebody tipped off Russia to the go to, ensuing within the close to miss. It’s not attainable to know for positive right now.
The missile strike comes because the Russian navy continues to press ahead following Russia’s seize of the small metropolis of Avdiivka on Feb. 18. For days following the withdrawal from Avdiivka, Ukrainian troops have been pressured to retreat in that space, and at different areas alongside the entrance.
Nonetheless, over the previous three days, there have been stories of Ukrainian success at establishing new defensive positions and slowing Russia’s advance. There are even some areas the place Ukraine has reportedly counterattacked towards overextended Russian troops, taking again positions that had been misplaced.
Ukraine has made genius use of among the weapons supplied by the U.S. and others, however they proceed to face a important scarcity of ammunition. Reuters stories that European allies are working across the clock to attempt to hold Ukraine equipped after “the stalling of U.S. navy support, which has been the spine of worldwide help.”
In the meantime, the chief architect of that stall, Home Speaker Mike Johnson, was sitting within the large chair this morning when the Home chaplain delivered a really particular prayer.
Johnson continues to block the Senate invoice on Ukraine help and although he has reportedly opened the best way for Republicans to craft their very own Ukraine plan within the Home, nothing has emerged to date.
Again in Ukraine, the commander of floor forces has announced goals for the coming year. Nonetheless, Ukraine’s actions are hampered by a scarcity of ammunition and threatened by a rising Russian power. It’s already too late for the US to offer the extent of help that might be wanted for a serious Ukrainian counterstrike in 2024, however except the Johnson logjam is damaged quickly, Ukraine can have all it may possibly deal with combating again towards Russia’s advance.
On Monday night, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet bought a bit smaller. Once more.
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