**Russian Missile and Drone Strike Hits Odesa, Damaging Chinese Consulate**
On July 3, Russia launched a massive missile and drone strike on the city of Odesa in Ukraine. The attack resulted in two deaths and six injuries, but what’s more disturbing is that it also damaged the building of the Chinese Consulate General.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha shared this information on social media platform X, saying that a component of a Russian-Iranian Shahed-136/Geran-2 combat drone was discovered in Kyiv. What’s even more alarming is that these drones are made in China and supplied to Russia recently.
The attack comes at a time when Ukraine has been accusing China of siding with Moscow in the ongoing war between the two countries. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly accused Beijing of supporting Russia, and now it seems like China’s Consulate General building in Odesa was also affected by this assault.
**China’s Role in Supporting Russia**
This incident adds to growing concerns in Kyiv over China’s expanding role in supporting Russia’s war effort. As Russian-Chinese relations deepen, Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit China in September for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where he will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Beijing remains one of Russia’s key wartime partners, helping Moscow evade Western sanctions and emerging as the leading supplier of dual-use goods used by the Russian defense industry. This has raised concerns that China may be indirectly supporting Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine.
**Ukraine Reports Damage to Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant**
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported damage to the Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant in the town of Azov, Rostov Oblast. The facility reportedly manufactures critical components for the Russian military, including sights, rangefinders, thermal imaging systems, and fire control equipment.
**Russia Escalates Use of Chemical Weapons**
Dutch intelligence services have found that Russia is systematically escalating the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. This has raised concerns over the safety of civilians in Ukraine.
**US Secretary Denies Progress with Putin**
US President Donald Trump denied making any progress with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call, saying “I’m very disappointed” with the conversation.
**Ukraine’s Counter-Disinformation Center Reports Drone Strike on Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant**
Ukraine’s counter-disinformation center reported that a drone hit the Azov Optical and Mechanical Plant in the town of Azov. The facility reportedly manufactures critical components for the Russian military.
**UN Figures Show Threefold Jump in Child Casualties**
The latest UN figures show a threefold jump in the number of deaths and injuries for children over the past three months.
**President Volodymyr Zelensky Urges Continued Support from Partners**
President Volodymyr Zelensky urged continued support from partners in ballistic missile defense, saying “Patriots and their missiles are real defenders of life”.
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