ANALYSIS – Could this have sparked World War III? In what appears to be a targeted Russian missile strike against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was only 160 yards (500 feet) away, was reportedly almost killed by the ballistic missile.
Other reports claim the Russian weapon used in the attack, either an Iskander or Onyx missile, did not hit that close to the delegation.
Greece is a prominent member of the NATO Alliance. The NATO charter states that an attack on one member will be considered an attack on the entire alliance.
The Daily Mail headline read: “Putin's missiles come within yards of killing NATO leader and sparking WW3.”
The Mail added: “While NATO have been accused of downplaying stray Russian missiles landing in their territory to avoid being drawn into World War III, an attack involving a Western leader could jeopardise peace in Europe.”
“It was the ‘closest call ever' excluding Zelensky's trips to the frontlines, a source said, as reported by ABC.”
Zelensky was showing the Greek prime minister the importance of the historic city and strategic port located in the southwest of the country, on the northwestern shore of the Black Sea on Wednesday morning.
In remarks attributed to Mitsotakis on Telegram, he said: “President Zelensky and his staff showed and explained to us the importance of the port and what is being done to restore and strengthen the Ukrainian sea route and what damage he experienced during the attacks.
“Already at the very end we heard the sound of sirens and explosions that were very close to us.”
One video clip shared on X featured the sound of a large explosion at which point loud sirens can be heard.
An adjoining video shows Ukrainians startled by the explosion while attending a church service.
The Washington Post reported:
“Whether they are military, civilians, international guests — it doesn't matter to these people,” he [Zelensky] added. “Either they've lost their minds, or they have no control over their terrorist army's actions. This emphasizes the need for us to defend ourselves, and the best way is through an air defense system.”
Throughout two years of war with Russia, Zelensky has frequently traveled throughout Ukraine and has often visited front-line locations at great risk. But Wednesday would mark one of the closest calls for both the president and a visiting foreign leader.
“We heard the sound of sirens and explosions that were very close to us,” Mitsotakis was quoted by the Ukrainian state broadcaster as saying. “We didn't have time to go to a safe place.”
Since Russian missiles targeting Odesa are typically launched from nearby occupied Crimea, also on the Black Sea, there is usually little time to seek shelter.
The Post added:
“It was a very striking experience,” Mitsotakis added. “We understand that this war concerns everyone; there are no people who are outside of the war. War spares no one, and Ukraine is resisting barbaric force. It's different to read about the war in the newspaper and to feel it, to hear it with your own ears.”
Navy spokesman Captain Dmytro Pletenchuk, speaking to Ukrainian Pravda, said: “On March 6, the enemy struck the port infrastructure of the city. Five people were killed.”
Zelensky later told the press at least three people were killed in the blast, with three more injured.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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