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On Juy 19, the Russian Ministry of Defence reported on the night attacks on the Ukrainian military facilities throughout Ukraine. The Russian military confirmed “a group strike with high—precision naval and air-based weapons”.
The Russian Ministry of Defence revealed the targets of the attack, claiming that that precision strikes hit “facilities of the Ukrainian military industry, fuel infrastructure and ammunition depots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Odessa”. Another target hit by Russian forces was the Kanatovo airbase of the Air Forces of Ukraine in the Kirovograd region.
Ukrainian media shared photos showing damage to the port of Odessa:
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Ukrainian authorities declared that the last night marked the largest attack on the city of Odessa since the beginning of hostilities. Footage shared by local residents confirmed numerous explosions in the city port. Another target was the Shkolny airfield located on the city outskirts. The port of Ilyichevsk located in the Odessa region was also hit.
It was reported that a hotel in the village of Koblevo in the Odessa region also came under attack. According to some reports, servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and dozens of foreign mercenaries stayed there. Heavy casualties were reported.
More explosions thundered in Kiev, Zhitomir, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrivsk regions.
Kiev attempts to pay public attention on the damage to civilian infrastructure used for the grain export within the grain deal, without revealing damage to numerous military facilities.
The Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine reported that the property of international and Ukrainian traders was damaged. While Zelensky said that Russian troops deliberately targeted the infrastructure of the grain deal and ordered Ukrainian authorities to strengthen the defence of Ukrainian ports. However, it is already late.
In two days, Russian missiles hit the Odessa, Ilyichevsk and Mykolaiv seaports, the bridge across the Dniester in the Lighthouses was damaged, which creates great logistical problems for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition, explosions were also reported in Zatoka, where the target of the attack is yet to be revealed. Several large warehouses of fuel and ammunition, military units were hit, which may result in shortage of fuel supplies to the frontlines. Strikes also hit the strategic industrial facility where naval drones were manufactured.
The coming days will show if Russian retaliation strikes in response to the attack on the Crimean Bridge will continue.
