Russian missiles hit Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa hours after Moscow and Kyiv signed deals to allow grain exports to resume from there, one of the latest attacks in the ongoing war in Ukraine.The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry denounced Saturday’s strike as a “spit in the face” to Turkey and the United Nations, which brokered the agreements.
“It took less than 24 hours for Russia to launch a missile attack on Odesa’s port, breaking its promises and undermining its commitments before the U.N. and Turkey under the Istanbul agreement,” Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said. “In case of non-fulfillment, Russia will bear full responsibility for a global food crisis.
”U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget A. Brink called the attack "outrageous" and condemned Russia for continuing to "weaponize food."
The port's infrastructure was hit by two Russian Kalibr cruise missiles and Ukrainian air defenses brought down two others, the Ukrainian military's South Command said. It didn’t specify the damage or say whether the strike caused casualties.The European Union on Friday condemned Russia's choice to add five EU nations to its list of "unfriendly" countries.
The EU member states – Greece, Denmark, Croatia, Slovakia and Slovenia – were added to the list by Russia's government on Wednesday, according to an EU press release.
"The EU considers allegations regarding unfriendly actions as unfounded and unacceptable, urging Russia to revoke all such listings," the release reads. "This decision is yet another step by Russia towards continued escalation of tensions with the European Union and its member states."
Ukrainian kids feel war's effect
In a recent emotional interview, Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska said that her 9-year-old son used to be interested in playing the piano, dancing, sports and other hobbies. Now, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he wants to learn how to use a rifle.
“He wants to be a soldier,” she told NBC News. "I cannot bring him back to doing arts and humanities. The only thing he wants to do is martial arts and how to use a rifle.”
The war in Ukraine has internally displaced more than 8 million people in the country, and more than 6.5 million people from Ukraine have fled to other countries in the region, according to the United Nations. Women and children make up about 90% of those fleeing.
At least two children are killed daily in Ukraine, where the nation's armed forces continue efforts to beat back Russia's invasion, according to the humanitarian group UNICEF.