At least 21 injured, 2 killed in third night of air raids

Emergency services work at the scene of a destroyed residential area. Pic/AP

A third night of Russian air attacks pounded Ukraine's southern cities, including Odesa, where at least two people were killed, Ukrainian officials said on Thursday.

Russia's attacks on southern Ukraine have become more intense this week, after President Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain to countries facing the threat of hunger.

The strikes came one day after an intense Russian bombardment using drones and missiles damaged critical port infrastructure in Odesa, including grain and oil terminals. The attack destroyed at least 60,000 tonnes of grain.

Moscow had also vowed "retribution" earlier this week for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russian officials blamed that strike on Ukraine.

Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said Ukrainian air defences destroyed all of the 12 Iranian-made Shahed drones and two Kalibr missiles that targeted Odesa.

12
No. of drones intercepted in the attack

‘Russia preparing to attack civilian ships'

The US has warned that the Russian military is preparing for possible attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea. information indicates that Russia laid additional sea mines along routes to Ukrainian.

US approves $1.3 billion military aid

The Pentagon has announced a new $1.3 billion long-term package of military aid to Ukraine, including four air defense systems and an undisclosed number of Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade drones.

Wagner troops train with Belarus army

Mercenaries from Russia's military company Wagner on Thursday launched joint drills with the Belarusian military near the border with Poland to help "make the Belarusian army the world's second strongest."

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