Russia launches missile strike at Odesa during the meeting betwenn Zelensky and Greek PM. Five people dead.

Russia launched a missile at the Ukrainian city of Odesa during the visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The incident occurred on March 6 when Mitsotakis was touring the port of Odesa with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. An air raid siren sounded during the visit, and shortly after, a missile struck the city.

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed his concern, emphasizing the need for European leaders to visit Ukraine and experience the impacts of the war firsthand. Fortunately, the Greek delegation remained unharmed, with no reported injuries. The blast, which occurred approximately 150 meters away, resulted in five casualties, according to Ukrainian authorities.

President Zelensky condemned the attack, stating, "We saw this strike today. You see who we are dealing with, they don't care where they hit."

Following the missile attack, Zelensky and Mitsotakis visited a nine-story building damaged in a previous Russian drone attack on March 2, which claimed the lives of 12 people, including five children. Odesa, with a significant Greek diaspora, has historical ties to Greece.

Mitsotakis affirmed Greece's commitment to assisting Odesa in its reconstruction efforts, emphasizing the economic importance of the city as a key port for Ukrainian exports to Europe and the world. The visit underscored the significance of keeping shipping channels open for Ukraine's export of agricultural products, amounting to over 30 million metric tonnes since August 2023.

The missile attack on Odesa, especially during a diplomatic visit, adds to the escalating tensions in the region and highlights the indiscriminate nature of the conflict. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Ukrainian cities and the urgency for international leaders to address the ongoing crisis.

Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast kills man, injures 7, including children

In a disturbing escalation of hostilities, Russian forces targeted the village of Borova in Kharkiv Oblast on March 6, resulting in the death of a 70-year-old man and injuries to seven individuals, including three children. Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram that the attack caused extensive damage, with a fire breaking out and destroying cars, a garage, and outbuildings on the property.

Borova, situated around 36 kilometers east of the town of Izium and liberated by Ukraine's Armed Forces in October 2022, has been recurrently shelled by Russian forces. The recent strike underscores the ongoing threat faced by villages in the region despite previous liberation efforts.

Among the injured were boys aged 12 to 16, with varying degrees of severity in their injuries. Additionally, an 18-year-old civilian sustained shrapnel wounds, and a 73-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, and a 24-year-old woman with an acute stress reaction were also affected.

Regrettably, this incident follows another attack on the village of Kurylivka in Kharkiv Oblast, where a 58-year-old woman lost her life due to Russian troop aggression.

The continued targeting of civilian areas and the resulting casualties emphasize the urgent need for international intervention to address the humanitarian crisis and bring about a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. The toll on innocent lives and the destruction of communities further highlight the devastating impact of the war in the region.

Russian forces attacked Nikopol shopping mall

Russian forces shelled an Epicenter hardware store in the city of Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on 6 March, leading to a destructive fire that engulfed an area exceeding 4,000 square meters. The incident marks the sixth Epitsentr store destroyed by Russian forces.

Epicenter, one of the city's largest shopping malls with an expansive area of over 5,100 square meters, has been a crucial provider of essential goods for nearby towns and villages throughout the ongoing full-scale war. Despite the relentless attacks, the store continued to operate and serve the community.

Fortunately, there were no casualties reported as the attack occurred during a time when there were no customers or employees present in the Nikopol store. The absence of individuals in the store likely prevented potential loss of life or injuries.

This act of aggression against a civilian facility underscores the ruthless nature of the conflict and the disregard for civilian lives and infrastructure. The deliberate targeting of essential services further exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in the region.

In addition to the attack on the Epitsentr store, Russian forces carried out two other assaults on Nikopol on the same day, deploying heavy artillery and a kamikaze drone. These attacks contribute to the escalating violence and instability in the area, emphasizing the urgent need for international intervention to address the crisis in Ukraine and protect civilian lives.