At approximately 1700 EST, reports began to emerge of at least (10) Russian Tu-95 BEAR bombers airborne over the Caspian Sea. By 1800 EST, local Ukrainian Telegram pages began reporting increased drone activity in Chernihiv and Sumy Oblasts. Simultaneously reports began to emerge of increased risk of S-300/400 surface to surface strikes in Northeast Ukraine as well. Reports also began to emerge of Kalibr-capable ships departing Sevastopol.
At approximately 2045 EST, local Ukrainian media began reporting explosions in Dnipro, Odesa, Kropyvnytskyi, Chernihiv. Missiles were also reported inbound to Vinnytsya, Cherkasy, Lviv, Ternopil, Uman, and Kyiv. Ukrainian air raid alerts are still active as of publication throughout the entire country. The Odessa Oblast Governor has also confirmed that an initial wave of missiles struck residential and energy infrastructure in the city of Odessa and that a second wave of missiles is inbound:
“Attention residents of Odesa!
As a result of the massive missile strike, missiles hit the energy infrastructure of the region, as well as damaged residential buildings. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Power supply restrictions are currently in effect. According to the results of the anti-aircraft defense units, missiles have been shot down. Combat work continues, the second wave is expected right now, so I ask the residents of the region to stay in shelters!”
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— Serg (@NHunter007) March 9, 2023
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Kyiv twelve hours ago in hopes to shore up the Russia-Ukraine Black Sea Corridor deal that is approaching its one-year implementation. It is not clear if the Secretary General is still in Kyiv. This is developing.
