The press service of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement on his behalf, condemning the strike inflicted by the Russian army on the seaport of Odessa, BBC reports.
The statement read: “The Secretary General unequivocally condemns the reported strikes against the Ukrainian port of Odessa today. Yesterday, all parties made clear commitments to ensure the safe movement of Ukrainian grain and related products to world markets. These products are essential for overcoming the global food crisis and alleviating the suffering of millions of people in need around the world. Full implementation by the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Turkey is imperative.”
On July 22, Russia and Ukraine signed agreements with Turkey on the export of Ukrainian grain. Russia has confirmed that it undertakes not to attack ships and ports during the movement of ships with a cargo of grain. On July 23, the Russians attacked Odessa with four rockets, hitting the Odessa Commercial Seaport, on whose territory grain was stored for shipment, was recorded.
Natalia Gumenyuk, head of the coordinating press center of the security and defense forces of the South of Ukraine, said in a comment to reporters: “It is obvious that the enemy’s goal was to hit the Odessa Sea Commercial Port. Four Caliber missiles were directed in this direction. Two of them were shot down by air defense forces, two hit the infrastructure facilities of the port itself … There was a hit in the pumping station.
According to Gumenyuk, there were no victims, and there was no significant damage to the port infrastructure. The rockets hit a small fire, which was quickly extinguished by rescuers.