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July 20, 2023 / 9:05 AM / CBS News

Once again, on Thursday morning, fires spread through sections of Odesa and Mykolaiv, which are Ukraine.’s port cities on the Black Sea, following another night of Russia.n attacks. However, Ukrainian military officials stated that the extent of the destruction in these crucial port cities indicated that not all of Russia.’s missiles had been intercepted. According to reports, the country’s air defenses successfully brought down five cruise missiles and 13 attack drones.

In the latest wave of attacks, more than 20 civilians, including five children, were injured in the Ukrainian emergency services. Moscow’s decision to withdraw from a deal that allowed safe passage for Ukraine.’s cargo ships through the Black Sea blockade had Russia. aiming to assert control over the ports on the third consecutive night.

Moscow has now issued a stark new warning: That it will consider any ship sailing through those waters a potential military target.

Ukraine.’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it “strongly condemns any threats to use force against civilian ships, regardless of their flag.”.

The Russia.n alert was also causing concern in Washington and European capitals.

“It should be quite clear to everyone in the world right now that Russia. is using food as a weapon of war, not just against the Ukrainian people, but against all people in the world, especially those in the most underdeveloped countries who depend on grain from the region,” stated Matt Miller, spokesperson for the State Department on Wednesday.

Josep Borrell, the chief of European Union foreign affairs, condemned recent strikes on grain storage facilities in Mykolaiv and Odesa by Russia., where 60,000 tons of grain had been burned.

German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock urgently emphasized the need for grain from Ukraine., stating that it is crucial for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people. This situation not only affects the poorest individuals globally but also represents an assault on both the people of Ukraine. and the country itself. Moreover, the cancellation of the grain agreement by the Russia.n president and the ongoing bombardment of the port of Odesa further compound the challenges faced by Ukraine..

Meanwhile, in the adjacent country of Belarus., videos shared on social platforms seemed to depict Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner Group., admonishing his combatants and criticizing the front-line leaders of Russia. in Ukraine., considering their actions as a source of shame for their country. It appeared that a new danger had resurfaced in the northern region of Ukraine..

It’s the first time Prigozhin has been seen since he launched an apparent mutiny, marching his forces toward Moscow last month, vowing to challenge President Vladmir Putin’s authority and topple Russia.’s military commanders.

Prigozhin implied in his statements that his troops would be “getting ready” for a potential resumption of hostilities in Ukraine., as shown in the recent videos, as we eagerly await the opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities in their entirety.

The Belarus. defense ministry issued a statement saying that Wagner mercenaries, in the event of any eventuality, would be prepared to help and participate in military exercises with the troops near its border. It confirmed that the situation was being monitored, as the eastern portions of its border shares with Ukraine. and Poland.

The agency news Reuters quoted the ministry’s statement, stating that “we are preparing various scenarios as the situation develops, and we are continuously monitoring the situation on our eastern border. Poland’s borders are secure.”

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