Odesa Oblast calls for enhanced protection and specific air defense against Russian ballistic threats, says Humeniuk

The oblast “is a very powerful economic component of the whole Ukrainian economy,” she said.

“The only thing we really need at this stage is strong air defense support. I think our partners hear us.”

Ballistic missiles are very difficult to intercept, so all regions at risk must have air defense systems capable of countering these weapons.

According to Humeniuk, the enemy is trying to increase the pressure by conducting targeted missile strikes with limited use of air power.

The ballistic missile strike on Odesa occurred at around 10:45 a.m. on March 6, killing five people. It coincided with the visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the city, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of a joint press briefing.

Greek news outlet Protothema later claimed the attack targeted Zelenskyy’s motorcade, noting that the motorcade was 150 meters away from the Greek delegation.

The Ukrainian military later said it has no evidence to suggest that Russian forces were trying to hit Zelenskyy’s motorcade in the strike.