Russia's Silence at UN Meeting on Odesa Attacks Raises Concerns

Russia refused to speak at a UN Security Council meeting on its attacks on Ukraine's key port city of Odesa, following a dispute over the number of briefers allowed. The confrontation began when Russia accused Britain, the council presidency, of bias and censorship for limiting the number of briefers. Russia's proposal to have the archbishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church speak was rejected, leading Russia to boycott the meeting. The meeting proceeded, discussing the division within Ukraine's Orthodox Church and the damage caused by Russian attacks on Odesa, including the Transfiguration Cathedral. The attacks also crippled export facilities and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain. The council condemned the damage, with the US accusing Russia of "weaponizing grain" and using it as leverage. Ukraine argued that Russia's actions constituted an attack on freedom of navigation and aimed to eliminate a market competitor.