Russia claims Odesa port attacks destroyed military infrastructure
Moscow, Jul 24 (EFE).- Russia claimed on Sunday that a missile attack on Ukraine’s Odesa port, which triggered an international outcry, had destroyed a military infrastructure.
“Kalibr missiles destroyed a target of the military infrastructure of the port of Odesa,” the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram.
The “high precision attack” destroyed a Ukrainian military boat, she added.
Russia’s defense ministry added that the attack had also destroyed a United States Harpoon anti-ship missile depot.
“Productive capacities for the repair and modernization of the Ukrainian Navy ships were also disabled,” defense ministry spokesperson, Igor Konashenkov, said at his daily press conference.
The attack on Saturday came one day after Ukraine and Russia signed a UN-backed landmark deal to reopen three key Ukrainian Black Sea ports, including Odesa, to resume grain exports amid a global cereal shortages.
“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 UN and Türkiye under the Istanbul agreement,” the Ukrainian foreign ministry’s spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko wrote on Twitter.
“In case of non-fulfillment, Russia will bear full responsibility for global food crisis,” he added.
Guterres “unequivocally” condemned the attack in a statement issued Saturday by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
“Russia strikes the port city of Odesa less than 24 hours after signing an agreement to allow shipments of agricultural exports. The Kremlin continues to weaponize food. Russia must be held to account,” US ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink tweeted.
EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell also condemned the attack.
“Striking a target crucial for grain export a day after the signature of Istanbul agreements is particularly reprehensible & again demonstrates Russia’s total disregard for international law & commitments,” he said. EFE
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