Ukraine-Russia war latest: Norwegian diplomats 'in epicentre'Putin missile strike on Odessa

Norwegian diplomats caught up 'in the epicentre of the strike' on historic hotel, says Zelensky

At least seven people have been injured after Russia launched a missile attack on the historic centre of Ukraine’s Black Sea port city Odesa, seriously damaging the Unesco World Heritage Site.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Norwegian diplomats had been among those "who were in the epicentre of the strike" and that the attack underscored the need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences.

Vladimir Putin's forces had aimed the attack "directly on the city, on ordinary civilian buildings”, he said.

Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump said that his administration was in a “very serious” discussion with Russia about the Ukraine war and suggested he and Mr Putin could take “significant” action towards ending it soon.

"We will be speaking, and I think will perhaps do something that'll be significant,” he said. However, when asked if he spoke directly with his Russian counterpart, Mr Trump said: "I don't want to say that."

Earlier, Ukraine’s military said it had destroyed a Russian command post in the border region of Kursk.

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