Russian missile strike damages Chinese consulate.
Russia’s Bombardment Damages Chinese Consulate in Ukraine
Russia’s latest bombardment of Ukraine’s preeminent Black Sea port city has caused damage to a Chinese diplomatic facility, as confirmed by officials in Beijing and Kyiv.
“An explosion happened near China’s Consulate-General in Odessa. The blast wave shook off parts of the wall surface and windowpanes,”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday. They further added, “We will take all measures necessary to keep Chinese institutions and nationals safe in Ukraine.”
Ukrainian Officials Highlight Russian Aggression
While the incident caused no injuries as Chinese diplomats had already left the premises, Ukrainian officials seized the opportunity to emphasize Russian aggression that goes against China’s interests.
“July 19: Russia destroyed 60,000 tons of Ukrainian grain, some of which was supposed to have been exported to the PRC,”
Tweeted Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. He continued, “July 20: the building of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, located in the middle of a residential area, was damaged as a result of a Russian missile and drone attack on Odesa.”
Russian forces launched 38 projectiles, including cruise missiles and kamikaze drones, at Ukrainian port cities overnight. These attacks coincide with Russia’s announcement to terminate the deal allowing Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea. Unfortunately, the air defenses only managed to intercept 18 of the incoming munitions, resulting in casualties.
“The Russians hit the city center. A garage and a three-story residential building caught fire,”
Said Mykolaiv regional Gov. Vitaliy Kim. He added, “A total of 18 people were injured. Nine of them were hospitalized, including five children, while two people were rescued from under the rubble. It’s a miracle that we managed to save them.”
The Chinese consulate was not the only casualty. A local bank was also struck by the ordnance, causing further damage to the historical center of Odesa, a UNESCO-protected world heritage city.
Ukrainian officials are now appealing to UNESCO to censure Russia for the destruction caused to museums and monuments in Odesa and Mykolaiv.
Russian forces have intensified their attacks on these cities in an attempt to restrict Ukrainian grain exports. This is seen as a tactic to pressure the United States and European officials into easing some of the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelensky addressed the situation, stating, “About a million tons of food is stored in the ports that were attacked today. This is the volume that should have been delivered to consumer countries in Africa and Asia long ago. That is, everyone is affected by this Russian terror. Everyone in the world should be interested in bringing Russia to justice for its terror.”
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