On the night of 20 July 2023, Russia launched a second wave of attack against the Ukrainian port cities of Odesa and Mykolayiv. The attack comes after the Russian statement that it withdraws from the “grain deal” with Türkiye and the UN to prevent any grain export from Ukraine by sea.
The most devastating missile wave hit Mykolayiv, badly damaging at least five residential buildings and 15 garages, wounding 18 people among whom five children. Two people were rescued from the rubble. It is a miracle that they were saved, head of Mykolayiv Oblast administration Vitaliy Kim said.
Last night at about 3:00 a.m., Russians conducted another air attack on the southern city of Mykolaiv, damaging five houses
The attack injured at least 18, according to local authorities. Nine people incl five children were hospitalized.https://t.co/QTEgnkyb2u pic.twitter.com/v12I4HkVmp
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) July 20, 2023
Also, Russian missiles damaged an administrative building and residential areas in Odesa, wounding at least four people, but more could be under the rubble.
“Due to the Russian attack, there is destruction in the center of Odesa, a fire broke out in an area of 300 square meters. Specialists of the relevant services are working on the spot. It is known about two hospitalized victims,” wrote Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration.
Russia also launched Shahed drones towards Ukraine’s town of Semenivka in Chernihiv Oblast, damaging residential buildings, Oblast head Viacheslav Chaus informed.
In total, Russia used 19 missiles and 19 Shahed drones in its night attack, Ukrainian air force informed. Ukraine’s air defense downed 13 drones and five missiles. In this attack, Russia used seven hypersonic anti-ship missiles Oniks in land to land mode, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.
Head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office Andriy Yermak said that Russia conducted a deliberate terrorist attack with the aim to disrupt Ukraine’s grain supplies to the world:
“Russian terror is perpetrated against peaceful people and infrastructure facilities, warehouses, in an attempt to destroy the ability to supply food to the countries of the Global South. There is only one answer to terror – countermeasures. The enemy understands only the language of force. This terror is taking place both against Ukrainians and against the countries of the Global South, where the Russians want to create food problems, as well as the West, where the Russians plan to have a refugee crisis. We must unite against this evil. Russia’s economy should suffer a devastating sanctions blow, the military-industrial complex should be limited in its ability to manufacture weapons, and Ukraine should receive more weapons for defense of the sky and offensive actions.”