Chinese Consulate in Ukraine’s Odesa Hit in Russian Strike

Chinese Consulate in Ukraine’s Odesa Hit in Russian Strike
A cargo ship sails followed by a Ukrainian coast guard cutter through the Bystre rivermouth, which connects the Black Sea and Danube, in the Odesa region of Ukraine on July 15, 2022. Operational Command South press service/Handout via Reuters
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Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine on July 19 damaged the Chinese consulate building in the port city of Odesa and the port itself, which had a million tons of grain to be shipped to Asia and Africa, including about 60,000 tons to China.

The Chinese communist regime hasn’t condemned Russia for the attacks.

Russia launched attacks on the southern Ukraine Black Sea port city and other Ukrainian ports for four nights in a row starting on July 18.

“As a result of the Russian night attack, the building of the consulate general of the People’s Republic of China in Odesa was damaged.“ Oleg Kiper, head of Odesa’s regional military administration, wrote in a social media post. ”The aggressor deliberately hits the port infrastructure—administrative and residential buildings nearby, as well as the consulate of the People’s Republic of China, were damaged. This suggests that the enemy does not pay attention to anything.”

A local resident walks with a dog next to a building damaged during Russian missile and drone strikes near Odesa, Ukraine, on July 19, 2023. (Stringer/Reuters)
A local resident walks with a dog next to a building damaged during Russian missile and drone strikes near Odesa, Ukraine, on July 19, 2023. Stringer/Reuters

The Ukrainian military stated that Russia had launched 63 missiles and drones at various targets across the country, of which 37 had been shot down.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated on July 20 that the overnight attacks on Odesa were part of ongoing retaliation for Ukraine’s attack on a bridge in Crimea, which Kyiv stated is a legitimate target as a major Russian military supply route; Kyiv claims that Russian forces were targeting facilities linked to Ukrainian maritime attack drones.

The strikes have hit civilian facilities, including a dormitory building, a courthouse, a wholesale market, and a storage facility in the Odesa port, according to various media reports.

On July 22, the Ukrainian military took credit for a strike on an ammunition warehouse and oil depot of the Russian army in Crimea. It also stated that it had brought down five Iranian-made kamikaze drones overnight.

CCP Refuses to Condemn Russia

On July 21, Mao Ning, the spokeswoman for China’s foreign ministry, told reporters that China will continue to maintain communication with relevant parties and take all necessary measures to safeguard the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Ukraine.
A part of a Russian cruise missile Kalibr inside a building damaged by Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Odesa, Ukraine, on July 18, 2023. (Press Service of the Operational Command South of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via Reuters)
A part of a Russian cruise missile Kalibr inside a building damaged by Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Odesa, Ukraine, on July 18, 2023. Press Service of the Operational Command South of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via Reuters

A Reuters reporter asked, “Will China take the same approach if the Chinese embassies and consulates abroad are damaged in similar attacks in the future?”

Ms. Mao replied by repeating that China will “maintain communication with relevant parties, and will take all necessary measures to maintain the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Ukraine and anywhere in the world,” adding that China’s position on the Ukrainian crisis is consistent and clear and that China will continue to promote a political solution to the crisis.

When NATO missiles hit the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1999, which the United States stated was a tragic accident, the Chinese communist regime issued a strong condemnation.

The Chinese communist regime has been supporting Russia during its war and has refused to condemn Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

60,000 Tons of Grain to China Destroyed

Ukraine’s agriculture ministry said on July 19 that Russian missiles and drones had attacked the port of Odesa overnight, damaging infrastructure at the port that is part of the U.N. Black Sea Grains Initiative.

Just before the attacks on Odesa, Russia withdrew from the deal, which had allowed safe passage of Ukrainian food exports.

Ukraine officials said that Russia’s attack on Odesa’s grain facilities was an effort by Moscow to hurt a major Ukrainian export, even if doing so contributes to global grain shortages.

Vessels await inspection under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, in the southern anchorage of the Bosphorus in Istanbul on Dec. 11, 2022. (Yoruk Isik/Reuters)
Vessels await inspection under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, in the southern anchorage of the Bosphorus in Istanbul on Dec. 11, 2022. Yoruk Isik/Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the attacks on the grain infrastructure showed that Russia’s target isn’t only Ukraine and Ukraine’s people.

“About a million tons of food is stored in the ports that were attacked today. This is the volume that should have been delivered to consumer countries in Africa and Asia long ago,” he said. “Everyone is affected by this Russian terror.”

Mr. Zelenskyy also said that about 60,000 tons of agricultural products destroyed by the Russian missile strikes on Odesa were destined for China.

China is a major importer of Ukraine’s grains and a main beneficiary of the Black Sea grain deal.

On July 20, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned Russia’s attacks on the Odesa port facilities and other Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, emphasizing that damage to civilian infrastructure could violate international humanitarian law.

The European Council said on July 20 that it would extend sanctions against Russia for six months until Jan. 31, 2024. Current sanctions include restrictions on trade, finance, technology and dual-use goods, industry, transportation, and luxury goods.
Reuters contributed to this article.
Alex Wu
Alex Wu
Author
Alex Wu is a U.S.-based writer for The Epoch Times focusing on Chinese society, Chinese culture, human rights, and international relations.
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