Russian missiles hit Ukraine's Odessa port, day after grain export deal agreed

Kyiv [Ukraine], July 23 (ANI): Just a day after Ukraine and Russia agreed on a grain deal, Russian missiles hit the southern Ukrainian port of Odessa.
At least two missiles hit the infrastructure of the port and two were shot down by Ukraine's air defence, Serhii Bratchuk, a spokesman for the Odessa military administration said as quoted by CNN.
As many as six explosions were heard in Odessa, according to CNN citing Ukrainian member of parliament Oleksiy Goncharenko.
This attack came one day after Ukraine and Russian ministers signed an agreement, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in Istanbul, to allow grain exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports aimed at easing the global food crisis sparked by the war.
"That's all you need to know about deals with Russia," Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas added on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said that the bloc "strongly condemns" the attack.
"Striking a target crucial for grain export a day after the signature of Istanbul agreements is particularly reprehensible and again demonstrates Russia's total disregard for international law & commitments," Borrell said in a tweet.
"Russia agreed to some deal on grain export, but immediately after this attacked it -- showing they want to continue to threaten the world's food security," Ukrainian member of parliament Oleksiy Goncharenko told CNN.
"There will be new campaigns where [Putin] will definitely attack Odessa and the only answer of the world for this is to give weaponry to Ukraine - finally to give Ukraine long-range missiles, fighters. And that is the only answer for this aggression from Putin and to restore international order," he added.
Earlier, on Friday, a deal was reached between Ukraine and Russia where Russia promised to unblock ports on the Black Sea to allow the safe passage of grain and oilseeds, some of Ukraine's most important exports.
Russia has so far been blocking maritime access to those ports, meaning that millions of tons of Ukrainian grain have not been exported to the many countries that rely on it, according to CNN.
"Today, there is a beacon on the Black Sea. A beacon of hope -- a beacon of possibility -- a beacon of relief -- in a world that needs it more than ever," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday at the signing ceremony, which was attended by Ukrainian and Russian ministers.
After the deal was sealed, the UN Secretary-General said, "The agreement signed today by Ukraine, the Russian Federation & Turkiye under UN auspices opens a path for commercial food exports from Ukraine in the Black Sea. It will help avoid a food shortage catastrophe for millions worldwide. It is a beacon of hope, possibility & relief."
Meanwhile, the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said, "Thank you dear @antonioguterres for your tireless efforts in securing the agreements with @UN and Turkey on Ukraine grain exports. Millions of tonnes of desperately-needed grain blocked by Russia's war will finally leave through the Black Sea to help feed people across the world." (ANI)