Three killed as Russian bombing of Odesa continues

Key Points:

• Three people were killed in a Russian drone and missile strike on the Black Sea port of Odesa, marking the fifth consecutive day of attacks on the region, according to Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper.
• Russia claimed it targeted port infrastructure used for unloading petroleum, oil, and lubricants, while Ukrainian officials accused Russia of deliberately attacking civilian areas and critical infrastructure, including residential buildings and a gas pipeline.
• The attacks are part of a broader conflict involving strikes on Ukraine's Black Sea ports, which are vital for grain exports, following Ukrainian attacks on Russian ships in the Sea of Azov that have disrupted Russian grain shipments.
• The ongoing conflict coincides with political changes in Ukraine, including the dismissal of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, with Serhiy Koretskyi, head of Naftogaz, expected to be her successor.
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv to discuss cooperation between European and Ukrainian defense industries, marking her 11th visit since the Russian invasion began in 2022.