Ukraine – Condemnation of Russian strikes on the city and region of Odesa (26 September 2023)

France condemns in the strongest terms the Russian missile and drone strikes that targeted the city and region of Odesa on 25 and 26 September.

The strikes, which killed at least three civilians, injured at least two and damaged port and agricultural infrastructure, are a further flagrant and deliberate violation of international humanitarian law by Russia in Ukraine. By targeting the ports of Izmail and Odesa again, Russia is continuing its blackmail of global food security following its withdrawal from the Black Sea Initiative, a withdrawal characterized by the systematic destruction of transit and storage sites and by the obstruction of grain exports from Ukraine.

As the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mme Catherine Colonna, has repeatedly emphasized, these unacceptable acts constitute war crimes and cannot go unpunished. France will continue to lend support to the Ukrainian courts and the International Criminal Court in order to combat impunity for such crimes.

France will maintain its assistance to Ukraine in every sector, for as long as necessary, to help it resist Russia’s illegal aggression.