Several Russian missiles have hit the southern port city of Odessa, according to the Ukrainian Defense Forces, according to AFP.
“The enemy has attacked the export port of Odessa with Kalibr cruise robots. Two robots have been shot down by air defense, while two have hit infrastructure in the port,” they write on Telegram.
“Spitting against the UN”
The attack on the port of Odessa, which came just hours after Russia and Ukraine signed a UN deal to end the war, blocked grain exports and spared three ports – including Odessa – from Russian attack.
Now several world leaders have condemned the attack, including Ann Linde who writes on Twitter that the attack shows Russia’s contempt for international law and the agreed commitments.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry describes the robot attack as “Putin’s spitting in the face of the UN and Turkey”, reports The Guardian.
They question Russia’s guarantees in the agreement and call on the UN and mediator Turkey to ensure that they are fulfilled, reports Reuters.
The UN condemns
In a press release, UN Secretary-General António Guterres “unequivocally” condemns the robot shelling against the port of Odessa:
“Export is important to reduce the suffering of millions of people worldwide. Full implementation of yesterday’s commitment by Russia, Ukraine and Turkey is absolutely necessary,” writes a spokesperson for Guterres on Twitter.
When asked what the UN would do if Russia did not abide by the agreement, Guterres told the BBC that the UN has no instruments to do anything about it, but that it would be an unacceptable scandal.
Russia denies being behind the attack and will investigate, said the Turkish Defense Ministry, which is in contact with Russian officials.
“Russia will find ways to circumvent the agreement”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that the missile attack on the port of Odessa shows that Moscow does not want to implement the grain agreement.
– This only proves one thing: No matter what Russia says and promises, they will find ways to circumvent the agreement,” he said in a video posted on Telegram, according to Reuters.