Russia has continued shelling the Ukranian cities of Odesa and Mykolaiv, destroying warehouses and other infrastructure to prevent food supplies from reaching developing countries, Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, wrote on his Telegram channel on July 20.
“This terror is being perpetrated against Ukrainians, as well as against the states of the Global South, where the Russians want to create problems with food, and the West, where the Russians want to create a refugee crisis.”
On the night of July 20, Russian forces attacked Odesa with missiles and drones. Local governor Oleg Kiper reported that the attack resulted in the death of a 21-year-old security guard, whose body was found under the debris of a destroyed building. Eight others were injured, including a child.
Kiper reported that Russian forces attacked Odesa’s seaport, and struck an administrative building in the city center, along with several residential buildings. This marks the third shelling of Odesa this week.
Mykolaiv, which also has a seaport, was attacked by Russia for the second time this week, resulting in the death of one person, as confirmed by the city’s deputy mayor, Anatoliy Petrov.