RUSSIAN officials have admitted responsibility for the BRUTAL bombing of Odesa, just hours after a successful talks had concluded, reports Al Jazeera.
Missiles hit Odesa’s port, just hours after Moscow signed a deal with Ukraine and Turkey leaders, agreeing not to launch missiles at Ukrainian ports.
The deal also allowed the lift of a blockade Russia forced in place, stopping grain from being exported from Ukraine.
“It took less than 24 hours for Russia to launch a missile attack on Odesa’s port, breaking its promises and undermining its commitments before the UN and Turkey under the Istanbul agreement,” said Oleg Nikolenko, Ukrainian foreign minister.
It is unknown how many casualties are reported from the strike.
And now, after initially denying the attack, Russian officials have admitted to enacting the bombing, reports Al Jazeera.
“Kalibr missiles destroyed military infrastructure in the port of Odessa, with a high-precision strike,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram.
Read our Ukraine war live blog below for the latest up-to-date news…
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Russia admits responsibility for Odesa attacks
Russia had previously denied committing the brutal bombing of one of Ukraine’s most important ports.
However, officials have now accepted responsibility, reports Al Jazeera.
“Kalibr missiles destroyed military infrastructure in the port of Odessa, with a high-precision strike,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram
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HMS Portland’s fearsome arsenal
RAF fighter jets have been forced to intercept Russian warships close to the UK 136 times since 2005.
The HMS Portland has a crew of 180 and a top speed of 28 knots (32mph).
Among its fearsome arsenal are 32 Sea Ceptor anti-air missiles, eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes, a 4.5in naval gun, two 30mm guns and two Miniguns.
The Severodvinsk and Vepr are both armed with Kalibr cruise missiles.
It follows reports that the Royal Navy is developing drones to hunt for Russian submarines to free up pilots for other missions.
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Russia’s losses as of July 24
Russian losses are approaching 40,000, report the Kyiv Independent.
On top of this, the country has lost 221 planes and 1,708 tanks.
This comes after the world watched in shock as Russia attacked the port city of Odesa just days after the two nation’s held positive talks.
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Ministry of Defence provides update on Russia’s invasion
According to the report, the latest comments from the Russian hierarchy, that pointed toward an expansion of the invasion, are false.
Instead, it is likely that controlling these areas was always the goal of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
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Russian oligarchs’ citizenship bids scrutinised in Portugal
Portugal is exploring the citizenship applications of two Russian oligarchs – one of whom is under US sanctions, the Government has said.
Al-Jazeera reports that Russian-Israeli diamond oligarch Lev Leviev and Russian property developer God Nisanov are the latest high-profile Russians known to have applied for citizenship in Portugal.
The two men’s citizenship applications are “pending analysis”, Portugal’s Justice Ministry said in a statement, without giving further details.
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Odesa official slams Russia for ‘lying’ after port bombing
Oleksiy Goncharenko, an official working in Odesa, has accused Russia of ‘lying’ after they denied launching missiles at the port of Odesa.
“They are lying all the time. Four missiles, the most powerful and the most precise of all Russian missiles, attacked Odesa,” Goncharenko told Al Jazeera from Washington, DC.
“It is clear who did it. Russia doesn’t want any grain deal. They want as much chaos as possible,” he said.
“They want people starving in North Africa and the Middle East and other regions. They want people to suffer and have social unrests and hunger riots. That’s why immediately after they signed the deal, they started to disrupt it,” he added.
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Russian losses as of July 23
Russian losses are approaching 40,000, report the Kyiv Independent.
On top of this, the country has lost 221 planes and 1,708 tanks.
This comes after the world watched in shock as Russia attacked the port city of Odesa.
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US demands Russia be held accountable for Odesa attack
After seemingly positive talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey, the former has now launched a series of missiles at the Ukrainian port of Odesa.
The world has responded with shock, demanding Russia be held accountable.
“The Kremlin continues to weaponize food. Russia must be held to account,” US Ambassador Bridget Brink wrote on Twitter, according to Al-Jazeera.
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Damage on Odesa’s port ‘relatively minor’, BBC claims
Speaking live from Kyiv, the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent, Paul Adams, reported that damage to Odesa’s key infrastructure is “relatively minor.”
This comes after many believed the attack could have crippled the port’s ability to ship goods and equipment.
Ukrainian foreign ministry said the strikes were a “spit in the face” after Turkey and the UN had organised the deal between Ukraine and Russia, to stop Russia from bombing Ukraine’s ports.
Russia has denied responsibility for the bombings.
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African Union praises crucial Russia-Ukraine grain agreement
The African Union has praised a crucial agreement between Ukraine and Russia, according to Al-Jazeera.
It will enable Kyiv to continue exports of grain through the Black Sea and relieve a global food crisis.
“The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat welcomes the signing by Russia and Ukraine of agreements,” a statement said.
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Military airfield in central Ukraine attacked by missiles
13 Russian missiles struck a military airfield and railway infrastructure in the Kirohovrad region today, Sky News reports.
The area’s Governor Andriy Raikovych claimed a number of people were killed and wounded in the attacks, but did not provide more details.
He stated rescue teams were working at the impact sites.
The Kropyvnytskyi district of the capital has been left without electricity by the strikes.
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‘High risk’ constructing alternative bridge in Dnipro
Britain’s Ministry of Defence has been unable to confirm claims made by Ukraine that Russia will soon construct an alternative, military pontoon bridge across the Dnipro.
Sky News reports that the government department said that Russia prioritises preserving its military bridging capability but “any attempt to construct a crossing of the Dnipro would be a very high-risk operation”.
It added that if Russian troops were denied crossing the Dnipro, it would be a “significant” blow for Moscow.
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Ministry of Defence: Heavy fighting in Kherson Oblast
The Ministry of Defence said that in the last 48 hours Ukraine’s military proceeded with their offensive in the Kherson Oblast, west of the River Dnipro.
Sky News reports that Russia will try to halt the Ukrainian advance using artillery fire along the Inhulets River.
It added that the supply lines of the Russian army west of Dnipro are “increasingly at risk”.
“Additional Ukrainian strikes have caused further damage to the key Antoivsky Bridge, though Russia has conducted repairs,” the update stated.
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Black Sea ports can resume grain exports after deal agreed by Moscow and Kyiv
The agreement, which was also signed by the UN and Turkey at a ceremony in Istanbul, boosts hopes an international food crisis aggravated by the Russian invasion can be eased.
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America discussing US-made fighter jets for Ukraine
The United States is considering whether it can deliver American-made fighter jets to Ukraine, a White House spokesman has confirmed.
The move is not something that would be done straight away, White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters in a briefing.
“It’s not something that would be executed in the near-term,” Kirby said.
Such a move would be a significant boost in US support for Ukraine in its battle against Russia, according to Sky News.
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Zelenskyy: Ties with UK remain strong
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy said he had chatted with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, according to Sky News.
Mr Johnson is due to exit Downing Street in September after his successor is chosen.
Mr Zelenskyy said: “I spoke today with a great friend of Ukraine, Boris Johnson.
“First of all, about security and defence cooperation. We are waiting for a new package of military support.
“Relations between Ukraine and the UK are built on common values.
“And no matter what happens in politics, the ties between our countries and societies will only strengthen.”
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Zelensky claims Russia did everything to destroy the very potential of Ukraine’s exports
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first comments about the agreement reached earlier on Friday regarding the exporting of the country’s grain.
He said: “From the first day of the full-scale invasion, Russia did everything to not just close Ukraine’s access to the sea, but to destroy the very potential of our exports – port infrastructure, our railways, warehouses and silos. We did not allow it.
“And now we can not only restore the operation of our ports on the Black Sea, but also keep them protected. This has been worked out with our military and with our intelligence. The military assured me of one hundred percent control of the approaches to our ports.”
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HMS Portland’s fearsome arsenal
RAF fighter jets have been forced to intercept Russian warships close to the UK 136 times since 2005.
The HMS Portland has a crew of 180 and a top speed of 28 knots (32mph).
Among its fearsome arsenal are 32 Sea Ceptor anti-air missiles, eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, anti-submarine torpedoes, a 4.5in naval gun, two 30mm guns and two Miniguns.
The Severodvinsk and Vepr are both armed with Kalibr cruise missiles.
It follows reports that the Royal Navy is developing drones to hunt for Russian submarines to free up pilots for other missions.
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Royal Navy scrambles submarine hunter warship to intercept Russian vessels
The Royal Navy was forced to scramble a warship after two Russian cruise missile submarines entered the North Sea.
Britain’s submarine hunter HMS Portland carefully shadowed Vlad‘s subs after they surfaced northwest of Bergen in Norway.
The Type 23 frigate shadowed the submarines as they made their way from the Arctic to St Petersburg ahead of Russia‘s Navy Day celebrations on July 31.
One of the RAF’s new long-range maritime patrol aircraft, the P8 Poseidon, also worked with HMS Portland to hunt and track the submarines.
The Russian subs, the Severodvinsk, and the Akula-class attack submarine Vepr, surfaced in the North Sea in separate incidents on July 16 and 19 separately.
HMS Portland’s Commanding Officer, Commander Tim Leeder, said: “Our success on operations marks the culmination of many months of specialist training and exercises.”
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Ukrainian forces continue to repel Russians say UK’s Ministry of Defence
Ukrainian forces continue to repel Russian troops in the Donbas according to the UK’s Ministry of Defence.
In their latest intelligence update the Ministry said: “In the Donbas, Ukrainian forces continue to repel Russian attempts to assault the Vuhlehirsk power plant.
“Russian artillery remains focused on areas around the cities of Kramatorsk and Siversk.”
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Military airfield in central Ukraine attacked by missiles
13 Russian missiles struck a military airfield and railway infrastructure in the Kirohovrad region today, Sky News reports.
The area’s Governor Andriy Raikovych claimed a number of people were killed and wounded in the attacks, but did not provide more details.
He stated rescue teams were working at the impact sites.
The Kropyvnytskyi district of the capital has been left without electricity by the strikes.
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Germany delays defence weapon delivery
The Kyiv Independent has reported that a delivery for weapons has been held up.
According to anonymous Ukrainian officials, missile defence systems are being held by Germany’s Federal Security Council.
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Strikes on Odesa is a ‘spit in the face’ on Ukraine following deal signing
Russia’s ministry of defence have denied responsibility for the missile strike on the Black Sea port.
The sea trade port was attacked, and the Ukrainian military said the missiles hit the infrastructure of the key port.
Ukrainian foreign ministry said the strikes were a “spit in the face” after Turkey and the UN had organised the deal between Ukraine and Russia, to stop Russia from bombing Ukraine’s ports.
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Russia accused of ‘looting’ steel
The boss of Ukraine’s largest steel firm accused Russia of stealing steel for Europe.
Metinvest, the company that runs Azovstal which was being used as a safe space for soldiers and civilians during the Russian siege has made the accusation.
CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov said the steel from the plant is being sent to Russia and sold on.
He claimed some of the steel has been sold to the UK, reported the BBC.