Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha strongly condemned the missile strike on Odesa port carried out by Russia on July 3, and called on the international community to increase pressure on the aggressor.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Attack on Odesa’s Civil Infrastructure
According to Sybiha, during the shelling, the Russians deliberately struck civilian infrastructure and a foreign cargo vessel. As a result of the attack, at least two people were killed, and six others were injured, including two citizens of Syria. The minister emphasized that these actions constitute a barbaric war crime, and Russia continues to ignore any attempts to cease hostilities and only escalates terror.
“Russia brutally attacked Odesa port, deliberately hitting civilian infrastructure and a foreign cargo vessel. At least two people were killed and six were injured, including two citizens of Syria. This is a barbaric war crime. Russia rejects all attempts to achieve a ceasefire and advance peace. Moscow only intensifies terror and must immediately face increased pressure.”
Targeted Campaign Against the Ukrainian Economy
The head of the Foreign Ministry stressed that such shelling is not an isolated incident, but part of a systematic campaign by Russia aimed at undermining the Ukrainian economy, agriculture, as well as global food security and freedom of navigation. He called for a strong international response, including increased sanctions pressure and support for Ukraine, so that such crimes do not go unpunished.
The head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Oleg Kiper, reported that during the shelling, the occupiers used a ballistic missile. Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba clarified that an Iskander-type missile struck the area of one of the berths, where metal was being unloaded from a foreign vessel flying the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Since the beginning of the full-scale aggression, the Russian Federation has regularly attacked Ukrainian regions using various types of weapons: missiles, kamikaze drones, aerial bombs, and multiple launch rocket systems. Despite this, the Russian leadership continues to deny targeted strikes on civilian objects that lead to the deaths of civilians and the destruction of hospitals, schools, kindergartens, and critical infrastructure facilities.
The Ukrainian authorities and international organizations classify these attacks as war crimes of the Russian Federation and emphasize their systematic nature.