Russian missile exploded 500 meters from Zelenskyy and Greek PM in Odesa – CNN
A Russian missile exploded just 500 meters from the convoy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who were meeting in Odesa on March 6, CNN reports with reference to a source familiar with the situation.
According to the source, the convoy carrying the leaders during their visit to Odesa felt the impact of the strike, and the group saw a mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke.
Zelenskyy later told reporters at a briefing that he was close enough to see and hear the hit.
“We saw this strike today. You can see who we are dealing with, they don’t care where they strike. We need to defend ourselves first and foremost. The best way to do that is with an air defense system,” he said.
Mitsotakis said that Zelenskyy gave him a tour of Odesa, which had suffered massive damage from months of Russian strikes, before they heard the air raid sirens.
"Shortly after, as we were getting into our cars, we heard a big explosion. I think that for us is the best, most vivid reminder that there is a real war going on here. Every day there is a war, which not only affects the front, the soldiers, it affects our innocent fellow citizens," Mitsotakis told reporters.
Russian attack on Odesa
On the morning of March 6, Russian troops attacked Odesa, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had arrived.
Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, told hromadske that the attack killed five people and wounded others. The Russian military hit the port infrastructure of Odesa.
Southern Defense Forces spokeswoman Natalia Humeniuk said that the Russian strike on Odesa on March 6 was not related to Zelenskyy's visit.
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