The key
Ukrainian port city
of Odessa as residents
there prepare for a fourth consecutive
night of major Russian attacks.
CNN's senior
national security correspondent
Alex Marquardt is on the ground
for us there.
Alex, you've witnessed
these attacks up close
since the first night.
What's the latest
Well, Wolf,
this city is anxiously awaiting to see
whether Russia intends to target again
after these
three nights of intense attacks.
These were the worst strikes
over the past three nights
that this city has seen
since the beginning of this war.
We just heard from President
Zelensky in his nightly address
saying that over the past four days,
some 90 had drones have been fired
at southern Ukraine
and some 70 missiles just last night.
We saw Russia use four
different kinds of cruise missiles,
long range strategic bombers.
They fired all of these drones.
At least three people were killed
last night
in both
the city of Micallef and here in the city
of Odessa.
A wolf
we went to one of those sites
that was struck by a missile
earlier today in downtown Odessa.
It was right next to the port.
But this was just a normal civilian
administration building.
This this had nothing to do with the port
or the green infrastructure.
This had nothing to do with the military.
This was a multi-story building
that was taken down by a Russian missile.
At least one person killed inside.
We saw a fire
still coming from that rubble.
Firefighters
trying to put those fires out.
There was all kinds of destruction
for blocks around there.
Their windows shattered, trees
knocked down.
There is dust all over the place there.
Both countries,
Ukraine and Russia,
going back and forth over
what they say is the reason
for these Russian strikes.
Russia says that it is retaliation
for Ukraine's attack
on that Kerch Bridge, the bridge
that is connected to Crimea.
Earlier on Monday,
they argue
that the sea drones
that were used to attack
that bridge came from here in Odessa,
while Ukraine, Wolf,
says that it is the green structure,
the green infrastructure
that Russia is targeting,
since they've now pulled
out of that green deal.
They're going
after these different ports, going
after the grain infrastructure
because it is from these ports
that Ukraine sends its green
all around the world.
And so much of that is bolstering
the Ukrainian economy.
And keeping up the global food supplies
Wolf.
Alex,
I know you also have some new information
involving those U.S.
provided cluster bombs to Ukraine.
What are you hearing from your sources?
Well, we have multiple sources
saying that Ukraine
is now
using those very controversial
American cluster munitions.
Sources telling my colleagues,
Oren Liebermann,
Natasha Bertrand and myself
that they have been used.
We had reported
we broke the news last week, Wolf,
that those cluster munitions
are now in country.
We now know that they are being used.
The question is how effective
they will be, Wolf,
there is a debate over that.
I spoke to a Ukrainian general last week
who said that
they would
radically impact the battlefield.
Others say that they have to be used
strategically, say if
Russian groups of Russian
soldiers are gathering,
that's the kind of target you would use
for cluster munitions.
But, Wolf,
everybody agrees that there is a shortage
of artillery ammunition
and so no matter
what kind of
artillery ammunition is sent to Ukraine,
whether it's the more standard artillery
or these cluster munitions,
that is certainly a help
in this artillery fight
during this counteroffensive Wolf.
Alex Marquardt in Odessa for us.
Stay safe over there, Alex.
Thank you very much.
I'm joined now by two guests
to discuss all these late
breaking developments in Ukraine.
CNN military analyst
retired General Wesley Clark.
Also joining us, William Taylor,
the former U.S.
ambassador to Ukraine,
Ambassador Taylor Odessa.
Nikolayev, our
are brutally being destroyed right now.
How much are Ukrainians bracing for?
I assume they do anticipate
this is about to get even worse.
This is about to get worse.
Wolf, you're exactly right.
And I'm sure there are efforts to bolster
the air defenses around Odessa
and other ports.
This is a cynical move by the Russians.
They can't do anything
very well on the ground.
All they can do is fire missiles
and these drones.
They're failing in their military effort.
They what they try to do is attack
civilian targets, including these
these ports.
They apparently destroyed some 60,000
tons of of grain
that was going to the world.
So this is a cynical move
by the Russians.
Certainly is.
General Clark, I know the U.S.
has announced
it's sending more sophisticated
air defense systems to Ukraine,
at least in the long term.
But what does Ukraine do now
when it's only able
to shoot down
a small percentage of the missiles
the Russians are launching
against these civilian targets?
Zelinsky just said Russia's used
almost 70 missiles
in the south these past few days.
Wolf, the only thing they can
do is assure,
as Ambassador Taylor said,
they can redeploy some systems.
They're not going to redeploy
the patriot systems
because Ukraine is key.
And so if you don't defend
if you don't defend Ukraine
of the other cities, Dnipro and Odessa
and other cities
in the Ukrainian heartland,
they may be getting
some additional systems.
The United States says
we're going to provide
a couple more nations
systems that are medium
range of air defense systems,
but they're not there yet.
And so for now,
Ukraine's going to suffer.
But but, Wolf,
you have to look
at the bigger picture of this.
There is a Russian force
build up in the Northeast.
The Russians have held on the south
and Russia,
including stripping
some of their own assets out.
That's why
the 58th combined arms army
commander was complaining
and then fired because of it.
Frank Ocean is now in Belarus.
We don't know what he's doing there,
but he's got troops.
He's got a big encampment.
We've seen pictures of
And so
you have to believe
there is a Russian strategy here.
And I think
when we say that it's all over, it's lost
and the administration
seems to think
it can coast into an easy into this
and then go to negotiations
sometime in the autumn.
Not necessarily
so as we always point in the military,
the enemy as of all, end
and Putin, there's no indication
thus far that Putin believes
he's out of options Yeah, good point.
General Clark, Ambassador Taylor,
thanks to both of you.
Joining us now,
the Ukrainian ambassador
to the United States, Oksana Makarova.
Ambassador,
thank you so much for joining us.
As you know, Odessa and Nikolayev,
they haven't seen a barrage like this
in a long time.
I know you heard that.
President Zelensky says almost 70
Russian missiles
and 90 Iranians share
Iranian shithead drones
have hit southern Ukraine
over the past couple of days.
Do you feel you fear this is about to get
even worse?
Thank you all for having me.
And thank you for drawing
attention to this.
It's very important not only to Ukraine.
I mean, yes, it's brutal work.
And let's be very open.
The only reason for
this is not retaliation for something.
The only reason is a criminal intent.
And the criminal war
that Russia has started
in 2015 and restarted in 2022.
They have no business
being on the territory
in Ukraine, occupying Ukraine
or shooting at Ukraine.
But with this horrific attacks
on Odessa, Odessa region on Nikolayev.
Not only are they brutally destroying
the civilian infrastructure,
not only they're killing people, injuring
including five children
injured and one child killed.
But also they are attacking 200 million
people globally
who rely upon Ukrainian supply of food.
And this is a continuation of their
war crimes,
in addition
to them
pulling out from the grain do,
which again send grain and other produce
to 45 countries
during even this war time.
So this is attack against us,
a continued war crime against Ukraine
but also attack on so many countries,
including African countries,
including Asian countries
where Russia would like
to at least increase the prices
but also feed hunger.
And it's up to all of us,
not only Ukraine, but,
you know,
we are calling on all of our partners
and friends in the U.N.
and the auspices of U.N.
and in a bilateral formats to clearly say
no to Russia,
no to war crimes, but also no to them
attacking and destroying food,
which is so much
needed in so many places.
The U.S., as you
know, Ambassador, is working
to send more sophisticated air
defense systems
to Ukraine,
including more of the top of the line
NASA's air defenses.
In the long term,
that will be significant, I'm sure.
But what about right now?
What immediate support does Ukraine need?
Yes, thank you, Wolf.
As you know,
you know, we were discussing it
on a bilateral format,
literally on a daily basis.
There was Rammstein meeting recently.
Our ministers pooled our fjords,
discussed with each other.
We need all the supplies
that we can get,
all the air defense that we can get
but we also need all the artillery
in order to advance
so that we can get Russians out
from Ukraine as soon as possible,
which will also have an attack on
have an effect on their
ability to shoot.
Now, also today,
and I want to praise the State Department
and the Treasury for, again, announcing
a very comprehensive package
of additional sanctions,
additional banks, additional
companies that involved
that are involved in manufacturing
this missiles, drones
and everything else.
We need to do more of that.
This is a time when
when I understand
that the production is not as quick,
but we have to double down in providing
all the support,
but also sanctions
in Russia, sanctions
for each of these actions
and denying them
not only opportunity to make money
to conduct this work,
but also buying all the spare parts
and the
equipment needed
for the military production
Ambassador Oksana, of a good luck to you
Good luck to all the people of Ukraine.
Thanks very much for joining us.