A deadly missile strike targeted the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, landing near Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The bombardment, which occurred during their meeting, resulted in five fatalities and an unspecified number of injuries, according to Ukraine's navy.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis described the moment as "intense," stating they heard sirens and explosions nearby but did not have time to reach a shelter. The attack comes as both Russia and Ukraine escalate their aerial assaults, with Russian troops advancing and Kyiv facing a shortage of manpower and weaponry.

The strike in Odesa followed the tragic incident a few days prior, in which a Russian drone targeted a residential block, resulting in the deaths of 12 people, including five children. These attacks underline the ongoing violence inflicted upon civilians in the region.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the missile strike targeted a hangar in a commercial port area where crewless cutters were being prepared for combat by the Ukrainian armed forces. However, the White House spokesperson in Washington stated that it appeared the rocket landed near the presidential convoy.

Meanwhile, Ukraine retaliated with a car bomb that reportedly killed a Russian election official and conducted a drone assault on a metal plant in Russia's Kursk region, damaging a fuel tank. These actions further exacerbate the tense situation between the two countries.

The urgency for increased support from the international community, including the provision of much-needed weapons, was emphasized by a spokesperson for President Joe Biden's national security council. They noted that the attack in Odesa serves as a stark reminder of Russia's reckless daily aggression against Ukraine.

On a separate note, authorities in the Russian-occupied city of Berdiansk in southern Ukraine blamed Kyiv for a car bombing that claimed the life of a local election official. The incident occurred during early voting for the upcoming Russian presidential election, being held in the occupied territories.

As tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Ukraine, numerous Russian-installed officials have become targets, reflecting the severity of the situation. The Moscow-installed head of the Zaporizhzhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky, accused Ukrainian authorities of trying to "intimidate" residents ahead of the ballot.

The missile strike in Odesa and its tragic consequences highlight the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. The international community must take decisive action to prevent further loss of life and instability in the region.