The Chinese consulate in Odesa, Ukraine, was hit by a Russian missile and drone on July 20, 2023. The attack also caused damage to a nearby hotel and shopping center. Luckily, there were no reported injuries.
This incident is part of a series of assaults on foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine. Recently, on July 17, the British embassy in Kyiv was damaged by a Russian missile. Similarly, on July 18, a Russian drone targeted the Turkish consulate in Mykolaiv.
The Russian government denies intentionally targeting foreign diplomatic missions and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. However, the United States and its allies accuse Russia of deliberately striking hospitals, schools, and apartments.
The Chinese consulate attack could potentially strain relations between China and Russia. Despite criticizing Western sanctions on Russia, China refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but expressed concern for the humanitarian situation and called for a ceasefire.
The response from China to the consulate attack is uncertain, but it is likely that China will continue advocating for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. The diplomatic landscape will need close monitoring to understand how it will evolve.
