Missiles explode near Volodymyr Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister visiting Odessa: attack kills 5

Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Volodymyr Zelensky visiting Odessa on March 6, 2024. EPA – IGOR TKACHENKO

Greece will continue to stand alongside Ukraine, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared this Wednesday March 6, 2024 after meeting with Ukrainian President Voloymyr Zelensky in the port city of Greece. #39;Odessa, where an explosion occurred near their meeting place.

"My presence here reflects the respect of the entire free world for your people and underlines Greece's commitment to remain by your side", the Greek leader told his interlocutor during what constituted his first visit to Ukraine since the launch of the Russian offensive in February 2022.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyriakos Mitsotakis went to a residential building targeted on Saturday by a Russian drone attack which killed 12 people including five children. During that visit, the Greek prime minister said, sirens sounded and both leaders heard a heavy explosion as they returned to their vehicles.

"We realize who we are dealing with"

"We confirm the attack on the port infrastructure of the city of Odessa and the death of five people. There are also injured", lamented spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk, quoted by RFI. The attack would have taken place just a few hundred meters from the Ukrainian head of state and the Greek delegation, reports the media of the country in conflict with Russia.

"“This is, I think, the starkest reminder that a real war is raging here,” said Kyriakis Mitsotakis, urging other leaders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. #39;European Union to visit Ukraine to fully appreciate the impact of the war on civilians. "We realize who we are dealing with", declared Volodymyr Zelensky in reference to Russia. "They don't care where they hit. I know there are victims today, I don't know all the details yet. There are killed, wounded", he added.

Via the social network quot;during the visit of the Ukrainian and Greek leaders. There was no immediate comment from Russia.

Intensification of Russian strikes

Moscow has intensified its strikes against Ukrainian port infrastructure since last summer, following its decision to abandon an agreement overseen by the United Nations which was intended to protect grain exports in the Black Sea. Since then, kyiv has established its own "humanitarian corridor" with the aim of trying to circumvent the blockade imposed de facto by the Russian navy.

A Ukrainian navy commander said separately on Wednesday that Russia had launched some 880 drone attacks and more than 170 missiles against port facilities in the Odessa region since last July.

Greece, a member of NATO and long-time supporter of Ukraine's entry into the Transatlantic Alliance as well as the European Union #39;EU, offered Kiev military aid. "We discussed additional ways we can implement to strengthen security in the Black Sea. About how we can further protect our people – both soldiers and civilians. We need additional air defenses", Volodymyr Zelensky said.