Deadly Russian Strikes Hit Odesa
At least eight people were killed and 27 injured after a Russian ballistic missile struck critical port infrastructure in Odesa, southern Ukraine, late Friday. The attack targeted logistics facilities, with some victims trapped on buses while nearby trucks caught fire.
Ukrainian officials describe the bombardment as part of a sustained Russian campaign against civilian infrastructure, leaving over two million residents without electricity, heating, or water amid freezing winter temperatures.
Continued Targeting of Civilian Infrastructure
On Saturday, Moscow struck Odesa again, hitting key reservoirs. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba condemned the attacks as deliberate targeting of civilian logistics routes.
The escalation comes as fighting continues across multiple fronts, while US-led negotiations and European diplomatic efforts to end the war proceed without a breakthrough.
Ukraine Retaliates Against Russian Assets
Ukraine has also intensified its counterstrikes, targeting Russian military and energy infrastructure. On Friday, Ukrainian drones attacked the Filanovsky oil rig in the Caspian Sea, operated by Russian energy giant Lukoil, along with a nearby patrol ship.
According to UK Defence Intelligence, Ukrainian sea drones previously struck a Russian Kilo-class submarine at Novorossiysk Naval Base in the Black Sea between December 14–15.
Zelenskyy Discusses Future Elections
Amid the fighting, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the possibility of a future presidential election following a peace or ceasefire deal. He emphasized that any elections cannot occur in Russia-occupied areas, and preparations are underway to facilitate voting for Ukrainians abroad.
Ukrainian law prohibits elections during wartime unless martial law is lifted or relevant legislation is amended. Zelenskyy has also advocated for online voting for citizens living overseas.
Miami Peace Talks Underway
Diplomatic efforts are ongoing in Miami, where US and European officials are mediating peace talks with Russian and Ukrainian representatives.
- Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev is attending alongside Kremlin negotiators.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Washington will not force Ukraine into any agreement, describing the conflict as “not our war.”
- Former US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are meeting Ukrainian officials, while Russian teams meet separately with American diplomats.
The talks remain stalled over territorial disputes, particularly the fate of occupied areas in eastern Donetsk and Crimea.
Key Territorial Disputes
Russian President Vladimir Putin insists that Ukraine cede all territory captured in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia regions, and Crimea, while also withdrawing from partially occupied areas.
Ukraine has reclaimed significant territory, including most of Kupiansk, and held off Russian forces in Pokrovsk, contradicting Moscow’s claims of total control.
International Support for Ukraine
Ukraine received a boost from European leaders, who agreed to a €90 billion ($105bn) loan to support military and economic needs over the next two years.
President Zelenskyy highlighted that funds would support defense efforts if the war continues, or reconstruction if peace is achieved. Meetings with regional leaders, including Polish President Karol Nawrocki, reinforced European unity against Russian aggression.
Conclusion
The Russian attacks in Odesa underscore the ongoing humanitarian crisis and destruction of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, even as US-led and European-mediated peace talks attempt to find a resolution. With continued strikes, counterattacks, and disputed territories, the path to lasting peace remains uncertain, while Ukraine receives vital international support to sustain defense and reconstruction efforts.
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