According to the reports on Saturday (1 February), a Russian missile attack on the historic center of Odesa, a Unesco World Heritage Site, has injured at least seven people and caused severe damage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike, emphasizing that Norwegian diplomats were among those caught in the attack. He stressed the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses to protect civilians and historic landmarks from further destruction.
Zelensky accused Vladimir Putin’s forces of deliberately targeting civilian buildings in the heart of the city. The attack comes amid ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, with Odesa frequently being a target due to its strategic importance. Ukraine’s military continues to counter Russian advances, recently claiming to have destroyed a Russian command post in the border region of Kursk.
Meanwhile, former US president Donald Trump stated that his administration was engaged in serious discussions with Russia regarding the war in Ukraine. He suggested that he and Putin might take significant steps toward ending the conflict soon. However, when pressed about direct talks with the Russian leader, Trump avoided giving a clear response.
In addition to the missile strike on Odesa, Ukraine has reportedly launched drone attacks on a Russian oil refinery. These developments highlight the ongoing intensity of the conflict, with both sides engaging in military actions across various strategic locations. The situation remains tense, with Ukraine seeking international support to bolster its defenses against Russian aggression.
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