Three ballistic missiles hit Odesa international airport at around 6pm on Saturday, April 30. “As a result of a missile attack in Odesa Region, the runway at Odesa airport was damaged. Its further use is impossible, the Southern Operational Command reported.
The air defense system tried to repel an enemy attack. The press officer of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Bratchuk, explained why the air defense did not work completely. He said that Odesa Region received new air defense systems recently, and the military are already using them.
Bratchuk explained that:
- The air defense worked during the shelling, but they could not “catch” all the missiles.
- The occupiers fired rockets at the airport from the Bastion coastal complex located on the territory of Russia-occupied Crimea.
- The cruise missiles had certain technical parameters that enabled them to manoeuvre so as to bypass air defense obstacles.
- The flight speed was also a factor as the distance from Crimea is not big, due to the sea.
In Bratchuk’s opinion, these factors meant the missiles simply managed to avoid air defense and caused damage to the runway.
“Ukraine needs more modern air defense systems. This closes the sky from missiles, aircraft and enhances our security,” he concluded.
Bratchuk added that rescue crews are finishing repairs to the runway of Odesa’s main airport, but the runway can no longer be used for its intended purpose. He emphasized that there were no victims as a result of the attack and added that the night of April 30 – May 1 passed quietly in Odesa Region, without any shelling.
Bratchuk noted that a long curfew has been introduced in Odesa on the occasion of the anniversary of the deaths of people that took place on May 2, 2014, in order to avoid political provocations by Russia. It will run from 22:00 May 1 till 5:00 May 3. During this time, nobody will be allowed to be on the streets or other public places without permits issued specially by the Regional Military Authority or certificates.
Ugo Poletti is the Chief Editor of Odessa Journal (https://odessa-journal.com)
