A strong explosion was reported today in Odessa, where there was a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
According to sources, the explosion occurred near the city's port and was preceded by an air alert.
The Greek delegation was about 200 meters from the site of the explosion but all its members remained unharmed.
Mitsotakis arrived in Odessa today to meet Zelensky.
One of the videos published on social media shows a procession of several limousines and minibuses.
"We heard and saw this attack today (in Odessa, ed.). You see who we are dealing with. They don't care where to strike. I know there were victims. I don't know the details, but I know there were deaths and wounded": Zelensky said this in the press conference with the Greek prime minister, as reported by Rbc Ukraine.
"At the end (of the visit), we heard the sound of air raid sirens and explosions very close to us. We didn't have time to go to the shelters," Mitsotakis said, speaking of "an impressive experience."
Subsequently, Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmitry Pletenchuk, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda, said that five people died in the attack.
“On March 6, the enemy struck the port infrastructure of the city. Investigations are underway, all the circumstances of another war crime by the Russian Federation are being established,” he said.
Minister Stavros Papastavrou confirmed that "there are no injuries among the Greek delegation following the explosion, which occurred approximately 150 meters away" in Odessa.
He writes it on X the Kathimerini English edition account.
The Russian Defense Ministry said this morning's missile strike on Odessa, where Ukrainian President Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis were visiting, was aimed at a military port hangar where marine drones are built, which was hit.
The meeting with Zelensky had not been announced by the Greek government: Mitsotakis visited Odessa this morning before his trip to Romania, where he is expected for the two-day conference of the European People's Party (EPP) in Bucharest.
According to Ert news, the visit of the Greek prime minister was a decision of "high symbolic value" to reaffirm Athens' solidarity with Kiev, a few days before the two-year anniversary of the outbreak of the war.
"I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on Odessa by Russia during the visit of Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyriakos Mitsotakis. No one is intimidated by this new attempt at terrorism, certainly not the two leaders on the ground nor the brave Ukrainian people."
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, writes this on X.
“More than ever, we stand with Ukraine,” she adds.
“The attack in Odessa during the visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is another sign of Russia's cowardly tactics in its war of aggression against Ukraine. This is reprehensible and even below the Kremlin's rules ".
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, wrote this in a tweet.
"The EU's full support for Ukraine and its courageous people - he adds - will not waver".
"Russian drones in Odessa against the motorcade of Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis. They were together to commemorate the victims of another Russian attack. Shame!".
The EU Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni wrote this on Twitter.
Video Ukraine, strong explosion reported in Odessa
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