US State Department comments on Russia's strike on Odesa during Zelenskyy's visit

Spokesperson Matthew Miller commented on the Russian strike on March 6 during the visit of Zelensky and Mitsotakis to the city of Odesa, saying that this incident serves as a reminder of how Russia continues to inflict attacks on Ukraine daily.

"The strike is yet another reminder of how Russia continues to strike Ukraine every single day, and it’s a reminder of Ukraine’s need for air defense interceptors, and it’s a reminder that the United States Congress needs to take action, as we have called on them to do, to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression," he said.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that she couldn't confirm whether President Zelenskyy was the target of the strike on Odesa.

"We know what Russia is up to. We’ve seen what has been happening on the battlefield over the past several weeks because of Congress’s inaction," she said.

Jean-Pierre added that the United States is informed about the current crisis situation in Ukraine. According to her, last week, the CIA director reported on the dire consequences of Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Attack on Odesa on March 6

Russian occupiers struck Odesa with missiles on March 6. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis were in the city at the time.

Greek media reported that the strike allegedly targeted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's convoy, which was 150 meters away from the Greek delegation.

Zelenskyy himself, commenting on the strike, said that he witnessed and heard the Russian attack.

Meanwhile, the Greek Prime Minister clarified that the Russians struck Odesa while he and Zelenskyy were in the port. He spoke of "powerful explosions" nearby.

As noted by Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the South, the Russian missile attack on Odesa was not related to Zelenskyy's visit to the city.