one hour ago
The Russian attack on Odessa is seen as retaliation for the Ukrainian attack on Crimea
The Ukrainian Defense Forces said they consider the large-scale attack on the port of Odessa to be retaliation for the recent attack by Ukraine on the Russian Navy headquarters in Crimea last Friday.
Russian missiles hit a hotel in Odessa last night. The Ukrainian Defense Forces said on Xformerly known as Twitter.
The tweet added: “A pathetic attempt to take revenge for our successful strike on the Russian Navy headquarters in Sevastopol.”
A satellite image shows smoke rising from the Russian Navy headquarters in the Black Sea after a missile strike, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, in Sevastopol, Crimea, on September 22, 2023.
Planet Laboratories PBC | Bulletin | Via Reuters
Odessa suffered what officials described as “severe damage” in a large-scale Russian attack overnight.
The Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine said that 19 Shahd 136/131 drones, 12 Kalibr missiles and two Onyx supersonic missiles were used in the attack on Odessa. It said that its air defense forces shot down 19 drones and 11 Caliber missiles, but the port infrastructure was hit and grain stores were destroyed.
The attack came two days after attacks on the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. Ukraine bombed the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol on Friday and then launched a missile attack on the city on Saturday.
– Holly Eliatt
one hour ago
Poland is trying to ease tensions with Ukraine
The Polish president appeared to soften Warsaw’s recent tone towards Ukraine after tensions escalated in recent weeks between allies and neighbors, especially over grain imports.
Polish President Andrzej Duda told a Polish newspaper on Sunday: “We need to control our emotions, because let’s remember who will benefit most if Poland and Ukraine’s paths diverge. The consequences could be tragic.”
Duda’s comments come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, when addressing the UN General Assembly last week in New York, appeared to suggest that some of Ukraine’s allies were demonstrating solidarity with Kiev.
This comment apparently prompted the Polish Prime Minister to state that Poland would no longer supply weapons to Kiev, further escalating tensions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky listens to US President Joe Biden’s speech before the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, on September 19, 2023.
Caitlin Oakes | Reuters
Poland was one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters in the war, but tensions have recently grown over Ukrainian agricultural exports transported through Eastern Europe, where local farmers say their livelihoods have been affected by a glut of cheap imports.
In an interview with a Polish newspaper on Sunday, Duda suggested that Zelensky’s comments at the UN General Assembly may have been due to tension.
He added: “Let’s not forget that Zelensky is under enormous pressure.” He told the Polish newspaper Super Express. “He sends people to the front, and they often die.”
Referring to defense spending, he said the new equipment “should serve to strengthen the Polish Army” before more is sent to Ukraine. “We are not spending billions to suddenly give up on them,” he said.
“But this does not mean that we will not deliver weapons to Ukraine at all,” he added, adding that “when old equipment is replaced with modern equipment, I do not see a problem in sending those weapons.” [old equipment] “For the Ukrainians.”
Zelensky appeared to be trying to tone down his rhetoric when he posted a message on Telegram thanking Poles for their support in the war, saying, “Thank you to all of Poland for the invaluable support and solidarity that helps defend the freedom of all of Europe.”
– Holly Eliatt
2 hours ago
Ukrainian grain exports in September fell by 51%, the ministry said.
Ukrainian grain exports during the period from September 1 to 24 amounted to 1.57 million metric tons, down sharply from 3.21 million metric tons in the corresponding period last year, Agriculture Ministry data showed on Monday.
The Ministry did not provide any explanation for this decrease.
Traders and agricultural unions said Ukraine’s closure of Black Sea ports and recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube River are the main reasons for the decline in exports.
Ministry data showed that Ukraine has exported a total of 6.2 million tons of grain so far in the 2023/24 July-June season, compared to 7.5 million tons in the same period of the previous season.
The quantity included about 3 million tons of wheat, 2.5 million tons of corn, and 599 thousand tons of barley.
Ukraine traditionally ships most of its exports through its deep-water ports on the Black Sea.
A wheat harvester near Kramatorsk, in the Donetsk region on August 4, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Anatoly Stepanov | AFP | Getty Images
A deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to allow such exports collapsed in July when Russia withdrew from the agreement, saying its demands for relief from sanctions on its grain and fertilizer exports had not been met.
Ukraine can export limited quantities through small river ports on the Danube River and across its western land border with the European Union.
Ukraine is expected to harvest at least 80 million tons of grains and oilseeds in 2023, and the total exportable surplus in 2023/24 will be about 50 million tons.
– Reuters
3 hours ago
The United States and Ukraine produce weapons and defense systems together
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office on September 21, 2023.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his Sunday evening speech that the United States has agreed to joint arms production with Kiev.
“There is a historic decision of the United States to jointly produce weapons and defense systems. In particular, air defense. This is something that was an absolute fantasy until recently. But it will become a reality. We will make it a reality.” Zelensky said.
Zelensky spent the past week in the United States and Canada, where he attended the latest session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York before holding separate talks with President Joe Biden and then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“It has been a productive week. Very productive. We have many good defense and other decisions,” Zelensky said, referring to defense packages from the United States including artillery, missiles, HIMARS munitions, air defense missiles, additional air defense systems and tactical vehicles. Some other types of weapons that will prove themselves on the battlefield.
“From Canada, we have a decision on long-term defense support worth half a billion US dollars. In particular, these are medical vehicles, which are urgently needed on the front… We have agreed to produce and supply them.” he added.
– Holly Eliatt
3 hours ago
Russia says it destroyed Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea, Crimea and Russian regions
Russia said its air defense systems destroyed Ukrainian drones over Russian territory as well as the Crimean Peninsula overnight.
Posting on TelegramThe Russian Ministry of Defense said that two Ukrainian drones were intercepted over the Kursk region in southwestern Russia, and two other drones were destroyed over the neighboring Bryansk region. The two regions have been targeted several times in alleged Ukrainian drone attacks against Russian territory. Kiev has remained silent about such attacks.
Plumes of smoke rise after a fire broke out at an oil depot in Bryansk, Russia, on April 25, 2022.
Natalia Krotova | Reuters
The Ministry of Defense also said that four Ukrainian drones were destroyed over the northwestern part of the Black Sea and over the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.
It was not immediately known whether there was any damage or injuries as a result of the reported attacks.
CNBC was unable to independently verify the information and there was no comment from Ukraine.
—Holly Eliatt
4 hours ago
The coastal city of Odessa in Ukraine was severely damaged in the attack
Ukraine’s important port city of Odessa suffered what officials described as “severe damage” in a large-scale Russian attack overnight.
The Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine said that 19 Shahd 136/131 drones, 12 Kalibr missiles and two Onyx supersonic missiles were used in the attack on Odessa. It said that its air defense forces shot down 19 drones and 11 Caliber missiles.
“Unfortunately, the enemy struck the port’s infrastructure,” the officials said. He said on a telegram.
The post, translated by NBC, said: “The seaport in Odessa suffered severe damage, and a fire broke out in the building of the station hotel, which had been out of service for several years. Firefighters extinguished it immediately.” Onyx missiles destroyed the grain stores, but no one was hurt.
A ship within the framework of the Black Sea Grain Initiative arrives in Odessa, southern Ukraine.
Yuliy Zozulya | Future Publishing | Getty Images
The publication added: “As a result of falling debris during combat operations, warehouse buildings belonging to a company and a private house on the outskirts of Odessa were damaged and caught fire.” The fires have since been extinguished.
– Holly Eliatt