On March 6, a Russian missile detonated only 500 meters from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis while they were visiting Odesa. According to a CNN source, the blast's impact was felt by both leaders' convoy, and they observed a "mushroom cloud" of smoke.
CNN noted President Zelenskyy's habit of visiting front-line areas and hosting numerous global leaders in Ukraine despite the ongoing conflict with Russia.
But Wednesday's attack could be one of the "closest calls for the president."
The close encounter with the missile strike for Mitsotakis, a NATO member state leader, emphasized the visits' risks and the "potential global repercussions of the conflict."
Reflecting on the incident, Mitsotakis remarked, "Shortly after, as we were getting into our cars, we heard a big explosion. I think that for us [it] is the best, most vivid reminder that there is a real war going on here. Every day there is a war, which not only affects the front, the soldiers, it affects our innocent fellow citizens."
President Zelenskyy confirmed his presence in Odesa during the attack and mentioned that the strike led to civilian casualties.
An air-raid warning was issued at 10:41 am in Odesa Oblast, quickly followed by the explosion. Shortly after, at 10:45 am, the Air Force warned of the potential use of ballistic missiles in the regions under the air-raid alert.
