"Kremlin's Deadly Strikes on Odessa Escalate Russia-Ukraine Conflict"

Russia launched a barrage of missiles on Odessa, Ukraine, killing one civilian and injuring 19 others, including four children. The attack also destroyed a historic cathedral and damaged residential buildings. Russia claimed the attack targeted Ukrainian forces preparing to attack Russia, while Ukrainian officials accused Russia of continuously bombing Odessa since backing out of a grain export deal. Ukraine vowed to retaliate against the Russian attacks. In other developments, one person was killed in Kherson due to Russian shelling, and Ukraine discussed steps with NATO for unblocking grain export routes. Ukrainian counteroffensive operations are expected to intensify, and radar imagery suggests an increase in vehicles and equipment at a rumored base for fighters from the Wagner Group in Belarus. A drone attack in Crimea caused an explosion at an ammunition depot, prompting evacuation orders. The UN warned of potential starvation and financial devastation for Ukrainian farmers without an active Black Sea grain deal, and a Russian official condemned Ukraine and the US after the death of a war correspondent.