Russian attack

Russia shells Odessa during state visit

Mitsotakis (third from right) is currently on a state visit to Ukraine.

(Bild: AFP)

Russia bombed the Ukrainian port city of Odessa on Wednesday. The attack is particularly explosive as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis were in the city at the time of the attack.

During a meeting between Zelenskyi and Mitsotakis, the southern Ukrainian port city was, according to official reports, bombarded with missiles by Russia. Shortly afterwards, a video showed that the two politicians were safe and sound. However, there were casualties and injuries, Selenskyj said on Wednesday according to Ukrainian public television.

The missile had hit about 150 meters away from the delegation, Greek officials told the Protothema news agency.

Politicians did not make it to the shelter
"We saw this impact today. You can see who we are dealing with. They don't care where they shoot," said the head of state without giving details.

The Greek head of government was shocked by what he had witnessed. At the end of a visit to the port, sirens and nearby explosions were heard. "We didn't manage to get to a shelter," Mitsotakis told journalists in Odessa, according to Ukrainian reports. Selenskyj had previously shown him port facilities and the consequences of previous attacks.

Von der Leyen: Let's not be intimidated!
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the Russian attack "in the strongest terms". The German found clear words on Platform X: "Nobody will be intimidated by this new attempt at terrorism - especially not the two leaders on the ground and the courageous people of Ukraine." Brussels would stand by Ukraine more than ever.

Selensky's trips to the country, as well as foreign visits to Ukraine, are not usually announced in advance.