Ukrainian air defense forces destroy Russian cruise missile near Odesa

An air defense unit of the Ukrainian Air Force has destroyed an X-type cruise missile fired by a Russian plane at the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa.

The command of the Ukrainian Air Force said this in a Facebook post, Ukrinform reports.

"At noon on May 16, warriors of the Air Command South detected and destroyed an X-type cruise missile fired by a fighter aircraft of the Russian occupiers at the city of Odesa," the statement said.

The command's press service said that "an enemy ship grouping of the Russian Federation in the north-western part of the Black Sea consists of two cruise missile warships and six large landing ships."

"At the same time, the enemy is continuing lifting and rescue operations at the site of the destruction of the Serna-class landing craft near Zmiinyi Island and is trying to equip positions and organize the supply of equipment to the island," the statement said.

Therefore, the threat of missile strikes and the probability of a landing operation remains relevant, the Air Command South said. It also urged residents of Odesa "not to neglect security measures, adhere to restrictions on visiting the mined coast and coastal waters."