Kislitsa explained at the UN why Russia is attacking Odessa

Russia has chosen Odessa as one of the main targets for missile and drone strikes in order to disrupt the functioning of the sea corridor organised by Ukraine and partner countries. This was stated by Ukraine's representative to the UN Serhiy Kislitsa at a Security Council meeting on Friday, 8 March,Ukrinform reports.

He pointed out that it is about the corridor, which was created by Ukraine after Moscow withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The diplomat stressed that the Kremlin failed to blackmail the world with its withdrawal from this initiative, and the fact that Ukraine was able to launch the sea corridor demonstrated the efficiency of Kiev's projects implementation without the participation of the Russian Federation.

Kislitsa noted that since August 2023, almost 30 million tonnes of cargo have been exported from the ports of Odessa, Yuzhny and Chernomorsk to 42 countries.

Exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports have reached a level that can be compared to the one before the full-scale Russian invasion," the diplomat said.

He added that Russia had only to launch missiles trying to intimidate Ukraine and its trade partners.