At least 21 injured in third night of Russian air attacks against southern Ukraine

Russia's attacks on Ukraine intensify, injuring 21; EU condemns targeting of grain storage; White House warns of possible attacks on civilian shipping vessels; Belarusian military trains with Wagner PMC near Poland.

A third night of Russian air attacks pounded Ukraine's southern cities, including the port of Odesa, and wounded at least 21 people, Ukrainian officials said on July 20.

At least 19 people were injured overnight in Mykolaiv, a southern city close to the Black Sea, the region's Governor Vitalii Kim said in a statement on Telegram.

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.

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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.

In Mykolaiv, Russian strikes destroyed several floors of a three-story building and caused a fire that affected an area of 450 square metres (4,800 square feet) and burned for hours. Two people were hospitalised, including a child, according to the regional governor.

In the port city of Odesa, at least two were injured following a Russian air attack that damaged buildings in the city centre and caused a fire affecting an area of 300 square metres (3,200 square feet), said Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper.