Zelensky: "The place where ordinary people lived... Russia's 'Odessa attack' is intentional terrorism"

At Least 21 Dead... Zelensky Expresses Anger Over "Terror Targeting Civilians"

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia's missile attack on Odesa as an "intentional act of terrorism."

On the 2nd (local time), according to the Ukrainian presidential office, President Zelensky referred to Russia's attack on Odesa in a nationwide address the previous night as "deliberate and purposeful terrorism," stating, "This is not a mistake or an accidental missile strike."

President Zelensky said, "Four members of one family lost their lives, and the deceased boy Dmytro was only 12 years old," adding, "As of now, the death toll lists 21 names, and about 40 people have been injured, but the numbers are continuously changing. Unfortunately, the death toll is increasing."

He continued, "Three missiles struck a nine-story apartment building where civilians lived," emphasizing, "Ordinary people, civilians were living there."

He said, "In just one day, missiles fell on Serhiivka, and 12 missiles flew into Mykolaiv," expressing, "I extend my condolences to all those who lost their lives in these attacks."

Earlier, in a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, President Zelensky also accused, "Russia is committing terrorism targeting Ukrainian cities, towns, and citizens."

He expressed anger, saying, "Russian missiles were supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles. Yet, they struck ordinary residential buildings in the village of Serhiivka in the Odesa region. Missiles like the Kh-22 were developed to target large warships such as aircraft carriers, but the Russian military used them against an ordinary nine-story building where ordinary people live."

On the 1st (local time), three Russian Kh-22 missiles fell on a nine-story apartment building and a resort building in the village of Serhiivka, Odesa Oblast, southern Ukraine, killing at least 21 civilians and injuring 40.

One missile fell on the apartment building, another on the resort building, and the exact location where the remaining missile fell has not been confirmed.

Russia had previously struck Odesa twice with cruise missiles on April 23 and May 9. In April, the strike hit near residential areas, and in May, missiles fell on a hotel and a shopping mall.

The Kh-22 missile is an air-to-surface and air-to-ship missile launched from strategic bombers such as the TU-22 and TU-95. It was also used on the 27th of last month when Russia bombed a shopping mall in Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast, central Ukraine. At that time, Russia attacked a shopping mall where about 1,000 people had gathered, killing 19 civilians.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.