ITV News correspondent John Ray reports from Odessa, which woke up on Sunday from several loud explosions Odessa felt the first immediate impact of the Russian invasion, after the city was hit by rockets early Sunday morning. Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that “high-precision missiles fired from the sea and air destroyed an oil refinery and three fuel and lubricant storage facilities.” Two explosions were heard in Odessa in the early hours of Sunday and smoke was observed rising above the city. “Odessa was attacked from the air. “Some of the missiles were shot down by the air defense,” the city council said in a brief statement on the Telegram messaging app. He said there were fires in some areas, but gave no indication of what hit the attack. ITV News correspondent John Ray, who reports from the city, said it was the first time the city had felt the immediate impact of the war. “Clearly we are far away from the Russian troops, but not from the Russian air force that has Odessa very far in range. “This city on the Black Sea is of vital strategic importance to the Russians and Ukrainians – it is Ukraine’s main maritime link with the outside world.” Meanwhile, in his overnight speech, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia’s commitment to the besieged city of Mariupol has allowed its troops to make gains elsewhere. Ukrainian forces continued to pose a “significant challenge” to Russian invading forces, the UK Department of Defense said. After gaining ground north of the capital Kiev on Saturday, Ukrainian authorities said forces had regained control of the city of Pripyat on Sunday. Foreign Minister Liz Truss said Sunday: “As Russian troops are forced to retreat, we are seeing more and more evidence of horrific actions by invading forces in cities such as Irpin and Bucha. “Their indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians during Russia’s illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine must be investigated as war crimes. “We will not allow Russia to cover up its involvement in these atrocities through cynical misinformation and we will ensure that the reality of Russia’s actions is brought to light.” ITV News reported from Irpin on Saturday that delivery trucks, used to collect the dead, were driving on blood-soaked roads. In Mariupol, civilians are waiting for a possible evacuation amid a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. About 100,000 people are believed to remain in the Sea of Azov city, less than a quarter of its pre-war population of 430,000, and dire shortages of water, food, fuel and medicine still persist. Among those trying to evacuate residents from the city was the International Committee of the Red Cross, which had not yet arrived in the city on Saturday, a day after local authorities said it had been blocked by Russian forces. ITV News correspondent Dan Rivers reports from Irpin tonight that Ukraine announces that the Russians have finally retreated This video contains sad imagesPlay the video But the defense forces have won elsewhere, Ukraine says. “Ukraine has gained invaluable time, time that allows us to thwart the enemy’s tactics and weaken its capabilities,” President Zelensky said late Saturday. He claimed that as Russian troops moved, they left mines around houses, abandoned equipment and even the bodies of the dead. These allegations could not be independently verified, but the Ukrainian troops heeded the warning. Ukrainian troops moved cautiously to retake territory north of the capital on Saturday. Listen to our news and analysis podcast The head of the Ukrainian delegation to the talks with Russia said that the Moscow negotiators had informally agreed to most of the draft proposal discussed during face-to-face talks in Istanbul this week, but no written confirmation had been given. Negotiator David Arahamia told Ukrainian television that he hoped the draft had been developed enough for the two countries’ presidents to meet to discuss it. Although there was a glimmer of hope for Ukraine in some places, President Zelenskyy said he expected the cities from which Russian forces were leaving to endure rocket and missile strikes from afar and the fighting in the east to be intense. He called on his people to do everything they can to ensure the survival of the country, and even to show kindness to each other. “When a nation defends itself in a war of annihilation, when it comes to the life or death of millions, there are no trivial things. “And everyone can contribute to a victory for all,” said the president. “Some with weapons in their hands. Some working. And some with warm words and help at the right time. Do what you can to stand together in this war for our freedom, for our independence. “
