Russia-Ukraine live updates: Kremlin forces regroup for attacks in east; explosions rock Odessa

ODESSA, Ukraine — A series of explosions were heard throughout Odessa on Sunday morning as Russia said its missiles struck an oil refinery and fuel storage facilities, marking the first major strikes on the Black Sea city’s downtown.

Dark plumes of smoke could be seen on the skyline near one of Odessa’s major ports.

Odessa has long been considered a target for the Russian military because it is an economically vital port, but with Moscow’s ground forces unable to advance past Mykolaiv, about 70 miles east, Odessa has largely been spared from attacks. Local businesses and even the zoo have reopened in the past week.

In a statement posted on Telegram early Sunday, the Odessa City Council said that the city was attacked from the air and that “some missiles were shot down by air defense.” Fires were reported in some areas, and residents were advised to close their windows and stay away while emergency responders carried out their work.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that high-precision sea and air missiles had destroyed an oil refinery and three fuel storage facilities.

“Fortunately, no one was injured, houses were damaged, glass was broken, roofs were destroyed,” Odessa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov told public broadcaster Suspilne. “Communal services are already at the site. We will provide all necessary assistance to those whose homes are damaged. The situation is under control.”

President Volodymyr Zelensky had made an emotional plea hours earlier for Western nations to send more missile defense systems and planes to guard against Moscow’s bombardments from the air: “Every single Russia missile that has hit our cities, and every bomb that has been thrown onto our people, our children, will be a black mark on the history of those who made that decision — the decision on whether or not to assist Ukraine with modern weaponry.”

If the southern port city of Mariupol — where Moscow has already wreaked massive destruction and deprivation — falls, “it could free up Russian logistics and manpower along the southern axis of advance,” wrote Michael Kofman, the director of Russian studies at CNA, a research institute in Arlington, Va.

Pannett reported from Sydney.