Several explosions were reported in the strategically important Ukrainian coastal city of Odessa on Sunday. The blasts in the Black Sea city in the southwest of the country could be heard early in the morning, an AFP reporter said. In addition, at least three columns of black smoke and flames were likely seen over an industrial area. The metropolis is Ukraine’s largest port and central to the entire country’s economy.
British intelligence reported that a landing attack by sea by Russian troops was unlikely. Russian naval forces would be putting themselves at great risk because the Ukrainian army had enough time to prepare. The secret service also warned about mines in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. These are probably of Russian origin.
After the withdrawal of Russian troops from the area around the Ukrainian capital Kiev, President Volodymyr Zelensky already expected Russian attacks in Donbass and the south of the country. “What is the purpose of the Russian army? They want to conquer both Donbass and southern Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in a video message late on Sunday.
Zelenskyy said in his video message that, to counter Russian plans, the defense of the Ukrainian armed forces towards the east would be reinforced. “And knowing full well that the enemy has reserves to increase the pressure.” At the same time, Ukrainian units were chasing retreating Russian troops north of Kiev and near Chernihiv, Zelensky said. The battle for the “heroic” port city of Mariupol also means that large Russian units are tied up.
Meanwhile, the Russian military announced that it will open escape corridors for foreigners in the port cities of Mariupol and Berdyansk on the Sea of Azov on Sunday. As Major General Mikhail Mizintsev said, according to the TASS agency, foreigners can leave Mariupol in trouble in the direction of Berdyansk. Foreign nationals living in the port city of Berdyansk are also allowed to leave the area – either by land via Crimea or to areas controlled by Ukraine.
These aliens are mainly crew members of cargo ships that have been blocked in both ports since the beginning of the war. The Ukrainian leadership was asked to ensure the safety of the escape corridors.