Russia's invasion of Ukraine Zelensky last night: Ormön has been liberated

 

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Emanuel Silva 

 

Published: Less than 3 hours ago 

 

NEWS 

 

Ukraine states that it has regained control of "Ormön" in the Black Sea. 

 

At the same time, Russia states that they left the island as a "friendly gesture". 

 

- Ormön has been liberated. We will push back the enemy step by step, says Zelenskyj during his nightly speech. 

 

The so-called "Ormön" in the Black Sea outside the city of Odessa has throughout the war been described as a strategically important place. 

 

During the first day of the invasion, Russian forces attacked the island where only a few Ukrainian border guards were located.

 

 

"We will push back the enemy step by step," Zelensky said. Photo: TT NEWS AGENCY 

 

On Thursday, the Ukrainian military announced that Russian forces had left the island on two motorboats. This after Ukraine directed several artillery and missile attacks on the area. Satellite images show smoke from burning cars and buildings on the island, Sky News reports. (Sky News.) 

 

During the night towards Friday, President Zelensky also announced that the island "had been liberated".

 

- This does not guarantee our safety. There are no guarantees that the enemy will not return. But that limits the actions of the occupiers considerably.

 

 "Step by step, we will push the enemy back out of our sea, our land and our sky," he continues. 

 

 

On Thursday, the Ukrainian military announced that Russian forces had left the island on two motorboats. Photo: Satellite image © 2022 Maxar Technologies / AP 

 

Russia: "A friendly gesture" 

 

Russia believes, however, that the Russian military's retreat was only "a friendly gesture". 

 

The Russian Ministry of Defense states that they withdrew for tactical reasons to enable grain exports from Ukrainian ports via the Black Sea. 

 

"In order to enable a humanitarian grain corridor in accordance with the agreement with the UN, Russia has decided to leave the island," the Ministry of Defense stated in a statement. 

 

Two attacks on Odessa 

 

After Russian forces left the island, two attacks were directed at the port city of Odessa. 

 

At least ten people have died in a Russian robot attack on an apartment building in the city, according to Ukrainian authorities. 

 

Another attack is said to have been aimed at a holiday home. The robots were fired from an aircraft over the Black Sea at 02.30 during the night towards Friday. 

 

Zelensky announced during the night that the situation in Donbass remains very difficult. 

 

- The occupiers' advantage is still very noticeable, he says.