Ukraine is attacking a fuel depot in Belgorod Russia regional

Ukraine says it thwarted attempted Russian missile attack on Odessa region

April 1 – Ukraine’s military said on Friday its air defenses thwarted an attempted Russian missile attack on critical infrastructure in the major Black Sea port of Odessa.

Governor Maksym Marchenko earlier said three rockets hit a residential area, adding there were casualties.

“The enemy has insidiously attempted to hit critical infrastructure, the destruction of which could be dangerous to civilians,” Ukraine’s Military South Command said in a Facebook post.

“Thanks to the timely and effective response of the air defense forces, the missiles did not hit the targets aimed at by the enemy,” it said.

Reuters could not immediately verify the Ukrainian statement.

Russia has denied attacking civilians in its war in Ukraine, which began on February 24 with what Moscow has dubbed a “special operation” to demilitarize its southwestern neighbor. Western countries call it an unprovoked war of aggression.

Reporting by Natalia Zinets and David Ljunggren, writing by Max Hunder and David Ljunggren; Editing by Grant McCool