“At the Stavka, the state of air defense, covering the front and Ukrainian regions, in particular Odesa, with air defense means, was discussed in detail, Zelenskyi said”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
Zelensky noted that the Russian army has significantly increased the intensity of attacks in recent weeks. According to him, the number of Russian casualties has increased accordingly.
“We will continue to support exactly this dynamic: if the Russians do not invest in the negotiation process one hundred percent seriously and direct their resources to prolong and expand the war, we will respond to this quite logically – with our actions in response,” the president added.
After another massive Russian shelling of Odessa, Zelenskyi announced on December 20 the dismissal of the commander of the “Southern” air command, Dmytro Karpenko, “because we need to react in time, quickly, no matter how difficult it is, and we need to protect our people, Odessa, and our other regions as much as possible.”
Read also: Odesa-Reni. Consequences of the Russian attack near the border with Moldova: what is known
On the evening of December 18, Russia attacked with drones the bridge across the Dniester near Mayaki, which is the key route between Odessa and Moldova. Checkpoints in the Palanka area are partially operational, traffic to Odesa was diverted through other borders, which caused long delays. The Odesa-Reni route was closed.
Subsequently, it became known that transport connections were restored in Odesa after the Russian shelling on the bridge near the village of Mayaki, it is working normally, Viktor Mykyta, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said on the air of the telethon.
According to the official, there will be no logistical collapse – all goods are delivered, ATMs, banks and state institutions are working. There are some inconveniences, but very minor.