Saturday saw a devastating drone attack in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, resulting in five fatalities and eight injuries, as confirmed by emergency officials. Among the casualties was a child, while another child suffered injuries.
Five individuals were rescued from the debris of a multistory apartment building struck by Russian “kamikaze” drones at 3 a.m. local time, according to the Ukrainian State Emergency Service.
The assault left the high-rise building significantly damaged, with a portion of it collapsing under the impact, as stated by Odessa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov in a Telegram post. Alongside structural damage, utility networks and the building’s boiler house suffered severe harm.
Consequently, Mayor Trukhanov noted that the attack disrupted heating supplies to 11 residential buildings, a school, and a kindergarten.
Five People Die in Russian Drone Strike on Ukrainian Port of Odesa (Credits: Al Jazeera)
This strike was part of a wider aerial offensive initiated overnight on Saturday. Ukrainian air defense missile units and mobile fire groups successfully intercepted and neutralized 14 Shahed drones en route to Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and various other cities, as reported by state television.
President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgency of bolstering air defense capabilities in the face of such threats. He underscored the necessity for increased support from international partners, stressing the imperative of fortifying Ukraine’s air defenses to safeguard its citizens against Russian aggression.
In a social media post, President Zelensky reiterated the critical need for additional air defense systems and missiles, emphasizing their pivotal role in preserving lives amidst the ongoing conflict.
