ODESSA: A Russian missile narrowly missed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday when it hit port infrastructure in the Black Sea city of Odessa.
“It seems to me that today we not only heard, but also saw this blow,” said President Zelenskiy at a press conference alongside the Greek Prime Minister.
The attack took place at an estimated distance of 500 to 800 meters from the delegations, the sources said.
“You see who we’re dealing with, they don’t care where they hit.
Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, told the national news agency Ukrinform that the port infrastructure in Odessa was the intended target. Five people were killed, he said.
Natalia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces, said she believed the presence of the two leaders was accidental.
“What’s happening is that Russia is a terrorist state and it’s clearly continuing to attack port infrastructure,” Humeniuk told US-funded Radio Liberty.
“Yes, there was a missile attack on Odessa… But that has nothing to do with the specific visit.”
The Ukrainian Air Force announced a ballistic missile threat in the region this morning, but there was no official news until a press conference after leaders inspected the port and Ukraine’s humanitarian sea export corridor.
Mitsotakis, in his first visit to the country since the Russian invasion in February 2022, said that during the trip the delegation heard sirens and a large explosion as they headed for their cars.
“I believe this is the most vivid reminder for us that there is a real war going on here,” Mitsotakis said, urging European leaders to visit Ukraine and see the impact on civilians.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its troops attacked a hangar that houses Ukrainian naval drones in the port, adding that “the objective has been achieved.”
Port infrastructure is a constant goal
Ukraine’s Black Sea port infrastructure has been a constant target of Russian attacks, which have intensified since mid-July, when Moscow withdrew from a UN-brokered deal allowing safe passage of Ukrainian grain and Kiev set up its own export corridor.
Since then, Russia has launched more than 880 attack drones and more than 170 missiles at port infrastructure in the Odesa region, a Ukrainian navy commander said during the trip.
“No one was intimidated by this new attempt at terror – certainly not the two leaders on the ground, not even the brave people of Ukraine,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a comment on the attack.
Greece, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and a traditional ally of Ukraine’s bid to join the NATO military alliance and the European Union, offered the country military aid.
During a visit on Wednesday, Mitsotakis confirmed continued support.
“My presence here reflects the respect of the entire free world for your people and underscores Greece’s commitment to remain by your side,” he told Zelensky.
He reiterated the importance of air defense and said the countries were working on a bilateral security agreement, similar to agreements Kyiv has signed with other countries.
“We discussed what other means we can use to expand the security space in the Black Sea. How can we add protection to our people – military and civilian alike. We need more air defense,” Zelenskiy said.
Mitsotakis added that Greece will attend a high-level peace conference on Ukraine in Switzerland.
The leaders also visited an apartment building where twelve people, including five children, were killed in a drone strike over the weekend.
