Deadly Missile Attack on Odessa in Southern Ukraine

At least three people were killed in a Russian missile attack on Odessa in southern Ukraine, a spokesman for the city’s military administration said, indicating that 13 others were injured and that “there may be people under the rubble.”

Moscow Becomes More Active

Recently, Moscow has become more active with their nightly attacks on Ukrainian cities, while Kyiv launches a major offensive to liberate its lands occupied by Russian troops.

NATO Secretary General Gives Insight

Politically, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said during a meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House that “Ukrainians are making progress.”

NATO Summit in Lithuania

Stoltenberg, who is visiting Washington ahead of the July NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, has given a glimpse of how the powerful Western military bloc views Ukraine’s attempt to outmaneuver Russia.

Ukrainians Optimistic About Counter-Offensive

Ukrainians have been optimistic about their long-planned counter-offensive on the eastern and southern fronts to push Russian troops out of the country.

Strengthening Bargaining Position

But Stoltenberg sees the process as a way to strengthen his bargaining position. “To the extent that the Ukrainians are able to liberate territories, their positions at the negotiating table will be strengthened,” he said.

Building Momentum at NATO Summit

“At our summit in Lithuania next month, we will build on that momentum,” Biden said.