Kyrgyz President Accused of Accepting $3 Million from Tycoon in 2020
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has vowed to give a “fair response” to the Russian forces that attacked the Black Sea port city of Odesa with Iskander missiles and drones on March 15. In a statement on Telegram, Zelenskiy described the attack as “very vile” and confirmed that rescue and relief operations were still ongoing in Odesa after the devastating strike that killed 19 people and wounded dozens more.
The governor of the Odesa region, Oleh Kiper, revealed that two Iskander-M missiles, fired from Russian-occupied Crimea, hit a residential area in the city. Tragically, several medics and rescuers were also killed by a second missile as they rushed to the scene to help the victims of the initial strike. This attack marked one of the deadliest in recent weeks, as Russia has intensified its strikes on Odesa, launching drones or missiles almost daily.
Following the horrific events in Odesa, March 16 has been declared a day of mourning in Ukraine, and a criminal investigation has been initiated. Zelenskiy, in a meeting with military commanders, emphasized the need to target Russia’s vulnerable points and increase the cost of its aggression. He also called for the production of more high-tech drones with longer ranges for future operations.
In addition to the attack in Odesa, a separate incident in Ukraine’s Vinnytsya region claimed the lives of at least two individuals. Reports suggest that Russia’s border region of Belgorod and a refinery in the Kaluga region were targeted by drones and missiles. The governor of Vinnytsya confirmed that a Russian drone struck a residential building, resulting in casualties.
The Ukrainian military reported that Russia launched 27 Shahed-type drones and eight missiles at seven Ukrainian regions, but all the drones were successfully shot down. There were also claims of Ukrainian drones and missiles targeting the Russian region of Belgorod, causing disruptions during the presidential election voting process.
Furthermore, there were reports of attacks on energy infrastructure in several Russian regions by Ukrainian drones, including oil refineries in Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and the Leningrad region. The situation remains tense as both sides escalate their military actions, prompting concerns about the ongoing conflict between the two countries.
