African peace mission met by Russian missiles

What does a peace mission look like when missiles arrive during it? On 16 June 2023, a visit to Ukraine by African officials was interrupted by a Russian missile attack, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

The Air Force said it had shot down six Kinzhal ballistic missiles, six Kalibr missiles and two reconnaissance drones. The strike thus coincided with a diplomatic effort, and it was the Ukrainian military's account that set out what was intercepted.

A pattern of strikes

The attack followed others in the preceding days. On 10 June 2023, Russian forces attacked Odesa with drones and missiles, killing three civilians and injuring 27 others.

Aid continued to arrive

On the same day, 10 June 2023, Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced a $500 million military aid package for Ukraine, including 288 AIM-7 missiles. He also announced a $10 million humanitarian package to help victims of the Kakhovka dam collapse.

That collapse had occurred in the early hours of 6 June 2023, when the dam was breached and flooding spread along the lower Dnipro in Kherson Oblast. The dam was under the control of the Russian military, which had seized it early in the invasion. Many experts concluded that Russian forces likely blew up a segment of it to hinder the planned Ukrainian counter-offensive. Ukraine specifically blamed Russia's 205th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, while Russian authorities denied the accusations.

Why the date matters

Taken together, the reports show three tracks running at once on 16 June 2023: diplomacy by visiting African officials, continued Russian missile fire, and Western military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. The missile attack during the visit placed the peace effort directly alongside the fighting it aimed to address.