Russian war of aggression
Ukraine visit: Russian drone follows Baerbock
Annalena Baerbock in front of the destroyed former headquarters of the Mykolaiv Oblast regional administration. Mykolaiv is an important port city near Odessa. photo
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Foreign Minister Baerbock had to cancel an appointment in southern Ukraine early because of a Russian reconnaissance drone. The delegation returned to their armored vehicles.
Background: A Russian reconnaissance drone was spotted, which also flew over the area of the waterworks. Such drones are usually followed by a direct air strike, it said. The drone initially followed Baerbock’s column, but then turned away. It was said that staying on the move was the safest option in this situation. It was emphasized that the fact that the visit was canceled was a decision made by the Ukrainian and German security teams – and not by the Foreign Office.
A short time after the departure of Baerbock’s column, there was actually an air alarm in the Mykolaiv region. After a good quarter of an hour the alarm was canceled again.
Minister in the shelter after the air raid
On Saturday evening, Baerbock had to go to a shelter in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa after an air alarm. The alarm was triggered at 9:48 p.m. (local time) and air raid sirens could be heard in the city area. The alarm was canceled about 20 minutes later. Meanwhile, according to a dpa reporter, Baerbock stayed in the shelter of her hotel together with members of her delegation and other guests.
Delegation circles said it was a missile alarm. An explosion was then heard in the Odessa region. It remained unclear whether there was a rocket hit or whether the Ukrainian air defense blocked the projectile. Details about possible damage or victims were initially not known. Two Russian drone attacks left a total of four dead and several injured in the city of Odessa shortly before Baerbock’s visit.