15 March 2024 Odesa missile strikes
15 March 2024 Odesa missile strikes | |
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Part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Southern theater of military operations) | |
Location | Odesa, Odesa Oblast, Ukraine[1] |
Date | March 15, 2024 ~11:03 and ~11:37 (UTC+2)[2] |
Target | Tsunami Regiment of the Liut Brigade(according to Russia)[3] |
Attack type | Surface-to-surface missile strike |
Weapons | 2 ballistic missiles from Iskander-M missile system |
Deaths | 21 |
Injured | 74 (38 hospitalized, including 11 critically injured)[4] |
Perpetrators | Armed Forces of the Russian Federation |
Missile strikes on Odesa were carried out during the day on March 15, 2024, with a half-hour interval by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation targeting the city's recreational area. This attack became the most devastating in terms of casualties and injuries to civilian infrastructure of the city since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian War. A total of 21 people were killed, and 74 others suffered injuries of varying severity.
Rescue teams from the State Emergency Service arrived at the scene to extinguish fires, clear debris, and search for victims. Later, the Russian Armed Forces launched another missile strike, causing further damage and casualties.
Course of events
[edit]On March 15, 2024, at 11:01 (UTC+2), an air raid siren was heard in the region. Around 11:03, the first missile hit a recreational facility on Dacha Kovalevskogo Street in the Kyiv District. At 11:37, just as medics, rescuers, and police arrived at the site, a second missile hit the same location. A three-story building of the recreational facility was destroyed, and at least 10 residential houses, a vehicle service station, a low-pressure gas pipeline, ambulances, and fire and rescue vehicles were damaged.
Victims
[edit]On the first day of the tragedy, 20 fatalities were discovered. Among those killed by the Russians were the former First Deputy Mayor of Odesa, Sergiy Tetyukhin, and 30-year-old police officer Andriy Boyarsky, leaving behind a three-month-old orphan. The Tsunami Regiment commander, Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Evgeniyovich was also amongst the deceased.[5][6] The next morning, 39-year-old rescuer Vitaliy Alimov died in the hospital, becoming the 21st victim.
Investigation
[edit]The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine reported that the Russians launched the missile from the territory of Crimea using the Iskander-M system. Ukrainian investigators initiated an investigation under the article concerning the violation of the laws and customs of war related to deliberate murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
Reaction
[edit]President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, commented on the strike. "Rescue operations and assistance are still underway in Odesa after the Russian missile strike – a very cowardly strike by these scoundrels: two missiles, and the second, when rescuers and doctors arrived at the impact site. Among the dead and injured are 'emergency' paramedics and State Emergency Service rescuers," the president noted.
The Odesa Oblast Military Administration declared March 16 as a Day of Mourning.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Death toll of Russian missile strikes in Odesa increased". Liveuamap. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
- ^ "Odesa and Odesa Oblast attacked by missiles: what is known now (updated)". Vgorode.ua. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Russian Ministry of Defense claims strikes on military targets in Odesa and Konotop area". Interfax. March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ "Odesa clarifies situation with hospitalizations after RF attack: 11 critically injured". Ukrinform. March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
- ^ Commander of "Tsunami" battalion Oleksandr Hostishchev was killed as result of Russian missile strike on Odesa
- ^ Update: Death toll in Russian missile strike on Odesa rises to 21, at least 73 injured
- March 2024 events in Ukraine
- 2024 airstrikes
- Odesa in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Massacres in 2024
- March 2024 crimes in Europe
- 2024 building bombings
- Building bombings in Ukraine
- 21st-century mass murder in Ukraine
- War crimes during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Russian war crimes in Ukraine
- Violations of medical neutrality during the Russo-Ukrainian War