On the 15th, the day the Russian presidential election began, the Russian military launched a missile strike on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa, located on the Black Sea, reportedly killing at least 20 people.
According to major foreign news outlets on the 15th (local time), Ukrainian authorities stated that two Iskander-M missiles fired by Russia struck residential areas in Odesa, resulting in at least 20 deaths and over 70 injuries.
Among the deceased were at least two high-ranking police officers and a former deputy mayor of Odesa. Local authorities said this missile attack was the deadliest among the recent weeks of Russian assaults.
Oleh Kiper, governor of Odesa, reported that Russia launched the missiles from the Crimean Peninsula, and that the attack damaged civilian infrastructure as well as electricity and gas supply facilities. At least 10 houses and a three-story recreational building were damaged, and electricity supply was partially cut off.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a response to Russia’s attack. Through Telegram, President Zelenskyy stated, "Our defense forces will do everything in their power to ensure that the Russian murderers feel our just response."
Ukrainian authorities declared the 16th a day of mourning.
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