Ukraine Port City Under Attack: Odesa Engulfed in Flames After Russian Drone Strikes
The southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa was left reeling late Thursday after being struck by a large-scale Russian drone attack. The assault, which was described as "massive" by local officials, resulted in widespread destruction and fires, with at least three people, including a minor, injured.
The attack on Odesa came just hours after US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about ending the war between Ukraine and Russia. Trump, who recently held separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky, said that he believed a peace deal could be reached. "We're doing pretty well in that regard," Trump said.
However, the Russian attack on Odesa has cast doubt on the prospects of a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The assault, which was carried out by Russian drones, targeted civilian infrastructure, including a high-rise residential building and a shopping center. Videos shared on social media showed huge plumes of smoke rising over the city, with fires raging out of control.
Czech President Peter Pavel was in Odesa on an official visit at the time of the attack, Ukrainian official Dmytro Kuleba said. Pavel's presence in the city underscored the importance of international support for Ukraine as it battles Russian aggression.
The attack on Odesa was not an isolated incident. Russian forces have been launching aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities and towns in recent days, despite a pledge by Putin to halt attacks on energy infrastructure targets. Overnight into Thursday, Ukraine struck back, launching a military attack on a Russian airbase deep inside Russian territory.
The Ukrainian military confirmed that it was behind the attack on the Engels airbase, which is located more than 465 miles from the Ukrainian border. The airbase is used by Russia's air force to launch missile strikes on Ukraine, and the Ukrainian military said that it targeted the base to disrupt Russian military operations.
The exchange of aerial assaults between Ukraine and Russia has raised concerns about the escalating conflict and the potential for a wider war. The US and other Western countries have been providing military aid to Ukraine, while Russia has been accused of committing war crimes and violating international humanitarian law.
Despite the challenges, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are ongoing. Delegations from Russia and the US are expected to resume talks on ending the war on Monday in Saudi Arabia. The talks, which will be held in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, are designed to hammer out more specific language on a deal reached by Trump and Putin, as well as other areas of negotiation toward a full ceasefire.
Zelensky, who has been a vocal advocate for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, said that he is "ready" to pause attacks on Russia's energy and civilian infrastructure. However, he emphasized that Ukraine will not compromise on its core demands, including the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory and the restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has had far-reaching consequences, including the displacement of millions of people, widespread destruction, and a significant humanitarian crisis. The international community has been working to provide support to Ukraine, including military aid, economic assistance, and humanitarian relief.
In a press conference in Norway on Thursday, Zelensky emphasized the importance of international support for Ukraine. He called on Western leaders to match their words of support for Ukraine with deeds, including providing more military aid and economic assistance.
The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, echoed Zelensky's call for increased support for Ukraine. "The stronger they are on the battlefield, the stronger they are behind the negotiation table," Kallas said, according to Reuters.
As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the international community has a critical role to play in supporting Ukraine and promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The talks in Riyadh on Monday will be an important step in this process, and the world will be watching closely to see if a breakthrough can be achieved.
In the meantime, the people of Odesa and other Ukrainian cities will continue to suffer the consequences of Russian aggression. The attack on Odesa was a stark reminder of the human cost of this conflict, and the need for urgent action to bring it to an end.
The international community must continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and demand that Russia cease its aggression and respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Anything less would be a betrayal of the values of freedom, democracy, and human rights that we hold dear.
As the world watches the conflict in Ukraine unfold, we are reminded of the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation in resolving conflicts peacefully. The talks in Riyadh on Monday offer a glimmer of hope that a peaceful resolution to this conflict may be possible. We must all do our part to support this process and promote a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.