Russia missiles have struck "critical infrastructure", most likely a fuel depot, near Ukraine's strategically important southern port city of Odessa but no casualties have been reported, officials in the city say.
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Odessa, on the Black Sea coast, is a key port and the main base for Ukraine's navy.
It has been a focus for Russian forces because if it is taken it would allow Moscow to build a land corridor to Transdniestria, a Russian-speaking breakaway province of Moldova which hosts Russian troops.
Russia's defence ministry said missile strikes by its military destroyed an oil refinery and three fuel storage facilities near Odessa in the early hours of Sunday, adding the facilities were used by Ukraine to supply its troops near the city of Mykolaiv.
"Russia began with a missile strike," Vladyslav Nazarov, an officer of Ukraine's South Operational Command, said on the social media platform Telegram.
"The Odessa region was among the priority targets. The enemy continued its vile practice of strikes against critical infrastructure.
"Smoke is visible in some areas of the city. All relevant systems and structures are working ... No casualties reported."
Vika, a local resident who declined to give her surname, said it was not "a good morning for Odessa".
"We woke up to powerful explosions near our home," she told Reuters.
"There was smoke, the children were in a panic, the windows were blown in ... it was terrifying.
"'Russian peace', we are completely not happy that it has come and we ask you to leave."
Australian Associated Press
