Actually, the grain agreement between Russia and Ukraine gave cause for hope. But after the attack on the port of Odessa, Kyiv sees the agreement in jeopardy again. While other parts of Ukraine are also reporting Russian attacks, two US soldiers die in Donbass. The 149th day of the war at a glance.
Odessa port hit by Russian missiles, according to Ukrainian sources
Ukraine has accused Russia of firing rockets at the port of the Ukrainian city of Odessa just a day after the grain deal between the two countries. "We shot down two rockets and two more hit the port area," said Ukrainian military spokesman Yuriy Ignat. In the affected port area there is "of course grain". Moscow initially did not comment on the incident in Odessa, but according to Ankara, Russia denied responsibility for the rocket fire. "The Russians have informed us that they have absolutely nothing to do with this attack and that they are looking into the matter very closely," said Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.
Zelenskyy accuses Russia of breaching treaty after attack on Odessa
After the missile attack on Odessa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of breaching the treaty. "Whatever Russia promises, it always finds a way not to fulfill it," said the head of state. He was referring to an agreement concluded the day before on the export of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea. Russia always has different options for action, Zelenskyy said in a video distributed on his Telegram news channel of a meeting with representatives of the US Congress.
Missile attacks in central Ukraine
Russian attacks were also reported from other parts of Ukraine. At least three people, including a soldier, were killed in the central Ukrainian region of Kirovograd, according to the local governor Andriy Raikovych. Rescue services were deployed, he said via Telegram. In a small district of the regional capital Kropyvnytskyj the power supply had failed. According to him, two security guards and a soldier were killed in the attack. Nine soldiers were also injured in the impacts in a substation.
Two US citizens killed in Donbass
According to the US State Department, two American citizens were killed in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass. "We are in contact with the families and provide all possible consular support," said a ministry spokeswoman on request. The spokeswoman said out of respect for the family, no further information was given about the case. According to US media reports, an unknown number of American volunteers are fighting on the side of the Ukrainians against the invading Russian army.
Zelenskyy thanks the United States for new weapons commitments
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy thanked the United States for the announced new arms deliveries in the war against Russia. "Extremely important, powerful weapons will save the lives of our soldiers, accelerate the liberation of our country from the Russian aggressor," Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter. "I appreciate the strategic partnership between our nations. Together to victory!"
Ukraine fires at bridge in Cherson with missiles from the US system HIMARSUkraine says it has fired missiles on a bridge in the Cherson region that is important for Russian supplies. A representative of the Ukrainian regional administration said it was an important step towards recapturing Kherson. The counter-administration deployed by Russia said the Darivskyi bridge over the Inhulets River had been hit by seven rockets from the western system HIMARS, but was still intact.
Orban calls for a new EU strategy in the Ukraine war
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has again criticized the EU's position on the Ukraine war and called for negotiations between the USA and Russia. "We're in a car with four flat tires," Orban said of efforts to end the fighting during a visit to Romania. "A new strategy is needed, which should focus on peace negotiations rather than trying to win the war." According to the Hungarian head of government, only talks between the US and Russia can end the conflict, as Russia demands security guarantees that only Washington can give. The EU should "not side with the Ukrainians" but position itself between the two camps, Orban added. The sanctions imposed by the West on Moscow "won't change the situation" and "Ukrainians will not emerge victorious," Orban stressed. "The more heavy weapons the West sends in, the more the war drags on."
Poland's defense minister considers ring exchange offer insufficient Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak has criticized previous German offers for a tank ring exchange as insufficient. The German government recently submitted an offer to Warsaw for the delivery of 20 Leopard 2A4 tanks, the politician from the Law and Justice Party (PiS) said in an excerpt of an interview published by the news portal wPolityce.pl. Blaszczak complained that it would take around 12 months to bring the tanks into an operational condition. In addition, the Polish side is counting on at least one tank battalion, which must include 44 tracked vehicles.
You can read all further developments in our live ticker on the Ukraine war.
