Russian strike tests new agreement with Ukraine, members of U.S. House meet with Zelensky, Florida Legion post hosts food drive.
1. Russian defense officials insisted Sunday that an airstrike on the Ukrainian port of Odesa hit only military targets, but the attack tested an agreement on resuming grain shipments that the two countries signed less than a day before the assault. Long-range missiles destroyed a docked Ukrainian warship and a warehouse holding Harpoon anti-ship missiles supplied by the U.S., Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said at a daily briefing.
2. Meanwhile, on Saturday, a bipartisan House delegation met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv on Saturday as the country’s war with Russia approaches the five-month mark. Rep. Adam Smith said in a statement along with the four other members of the delegation that they saw firsthand during their visit how Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war has failed to achieve its goals. The other members of the delegation are Reps. Michael Waltz, Elissa Slotkin, Mikie Sherrill and Mike Quigley.
3. Chamber leaders have scheduled an all-Senate briefing this week to update lawmakers on the latest U.S. assistance plans for Ukraine, the first such comprehensive review since the early days of the fighting. Senate officials announced the event will be held behind closed doors on Wednesday afternoon. The move follows Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska’s speech to Congress last week, where she requested more weapons — particularly air defense systems — to support her country in its fight against Russia.
4. Taiwan’s capital staged air raid drills Monday and its military mobilized for routine defense exercises, coinciding with concerns over a forceful Chinese response to a possible visit to the island by U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. While there was no direct link between China’s renewed threats and Taiwan’s defensive moves, they underscore the possibility of a renewed crisis in the Taiwan Strait, considered a potential hotspot for conflict that could envelop the entire region.
5. The American Legion Post 347 on Rolling Acres Road in Florida hosted a Food Drive for Local Pantries on Sunday. Locals dropped off bags of donated items in the parking lot to the volunteers where they sorted it out so it can be packed and sent to the pantries. Carol Pirone-Udell, organizer of the food drive, said this idea started during the pandemic and she and the legion formed a drive-by so people would not have to get out the car. Then they can take the donations and give them to the local pantries so it can help people in need.