Odesa Under Siege: Russian Drone Strikes Injure Civilians Amid Ongoing Conflict
Russian Drone Assault on Odesa
Kyiv: In a recent overnight assault, Russian drones targeted residential buildings and the power grid in Odesa, Ukraine, resulting in injuries to six individuals, including a toddler and two other children, as reported by local officials on Wednesday.
According to Oleh Kiper, the head of the regional military administration, four apartment complexes sustained damage during the attack. The energy company DTEK indicated that two of its facilities were significantly impacted, with ten substations in the Odesa area affected throughout December alone.
This year, Russia has intensified its long-range strikes on urban centers in Ukraine. As the conflict nears its four-year mark in February, there has been a notable increase in attacks on energy infrastructure, aimed at depriving Ukrainians of essential services like heating and water during the harsh winter.
The United Nations reported earlier this month that from January to November, over 2,300 Ukrainian civilians lost their lives, with more than 11,000 injured. This represents a 26% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2024 and a staggering 70% rise from 2023.
The ongoing drone and missile strikes coincide with renewed diplomatic efforts to negotiate peace.
Recently, US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Florida resort, suggesting that a resolution is 'closer than ever.' Zelenskyy is scheduled to engage in discussions next week with European leaders who are backing his quest for favorable terms.
However, the relentless attacks are exacerbating tensions.
Kiper described the strikes on Odesa as further proof of the enemy's terror tactics, specifically targeting civilian infrastructure.
Moscow has accused Ukraine of attempting to strike Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence with 91 long-range drones late Sunday into Monday. Ukrainian officials refute this claim, asserting it is a tactic to hinder peace talks.
Maj. Gen. Alexander Romanenkov of the Russian air force stated that the drones originated from Ukraine's Sumy and Chernihiv regions.
During a briefing that did not allow questions, he displayed a map illustrating the drone flight paths before they were intercepted by Russian air defenses over various regions.
Independent verification of these claims is not possible.
Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 127 drones at the country overnight, with 101 being intercepted by air defenses.
In contrast, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that 86 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russian territories, the Black Sea, and the annexed Crimea peninsula.
A Ukrainian attack reportedly ignited a fire at an oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, though local authorities stated it was quickly extinguished.