Odesa shelling comment by "anonymous source in UN" does not reflect organization’s position

The United Nations has assured the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine that the unofficial comment of an "unnamed source," published by The New York Times, does not reflect the position of the organization regarding the Russian missile attack on the port of Odesa.

That’s according to the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Oleg Nikolenko, who commented on the issue on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

The spokesman noted that yesterday, The New York Times published a “provocative news story,” which was later shared by Ukrainian media.

"An allegedly unnamed source in the UN claims that the Russian Federation, with its missile strike on the port of Odesa, technically did not violate the grain agreement signed in Istanbul. For example, Russia did not promise not to fire at those parts of Ukrainian ports that are not directly involved in grain exports. To put it mildly, we were surprised by such a position," the official wrote.

Nikolenko noted that, firstly, the source's comment contradicts the statement made by Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who unconditionally condemned the shelling of the port; secondly, the international community was also unanimous, clearly pointing out Russia's violation of its obligations within the framework of ensuring the safe functioning of the port infrastructure for the export of grain.

"We immediately turned to the UN leadership for clarification. We have been assured today that an off-the-record comment by an ‘unnamed source’ to The New York Times does not reflect the position of the United Nations. Only the statement of Secretary General Guterres reflects the organization's position," Nikolenko clarified.

"That's the problem with these unnamed sources: they launched a provocative narrative, but there was no accountability. Whether it was done intentionally or unintentionally, the question remains open," the diplomat added.

As Ukrinform reported, on July 23, the enemy attacked the Odesa Sea Trade Port with Kalibr cruise missiles. Two missiles were shot down by anti-aircraft defense forces and two more hit the infrastructure facilities of the port. UN Secretary General António Guterres condemned the missile attack. The US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, called the missile attack on the Odesa port less than a day after the signing of the grain export agreement "unacceptable," and called for Russia to be held accountable.

On July 22, in Istanbul, as a result of the four-way meeting of Ukraine, Turkey, the UN, and Russia, an agreement was signed, according to which grain and other food products will be safely exported from the ports of Ukraine.