Ukraine Recap: Zelenskiy Urges ‘Sky Shield’ After Odesa Strike

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy renewed his call for “a fully-fledged sky shield” after Kremlin forces unleashed a missile barrage against Odesa overnight. It was the largest in a string of almost daily strikes on the Black Sea port city after Moscow pulled out of the UN-brokered Ukrainian grain export deal on July 17. Russia aims to neutralize international efforts to renew the functioning of the grain corridor, Ukrainian Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said on Facebook.

The attack damaged infrastructure, houses and other buildings, including some 25 landmarks in the city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage location. A total of 19 missiles were launched by Russia, including some from bases in Crimea, with air defense able to shoot down nine. One person was killed and at least 21 injured, including four children. Zelenskiy vowed retaliation, and Ukraine’s defense ministry called the strike “a war crime.”