On Saturday, Russian forces conducted a mass drone attack on the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa, setting at least one multi-story apartment building on fire and killing one resident, officials said.
In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian cities, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to sharpen his tone against Russia and to threaten harsher sanctions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the attack on Odesa injured six people, including a child.
During its overnight attack, Russia launched more than 30 missiles, which affected 10 regions of the country, he added on Telegram, and reiterated the importance of air defence provision.
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Ukraine has been seeking additional support from allies to deliver aid and invest in domestic production to repel Russia’s attacks.
Five missiles and 30 drones hit 12 locations, and seven locations were hit by downed aerial objects, Ukraine’s air force said in a statement on Telegram.
Both parties dispute that civilians were targeted in Russia’s conflict against its smaller neighbour more than three years ago. Thousands of civilians have been killed in the fighting, the vast majority of whom are Ukrainian.
In the northeastern Sumy region, the latest drone attack damaged critical infrastructure, leaving several thousand families without electricity, Zelenskiy said.
Read Also: 2 Killed and 14 Wounded by Russian Drone Strike in Ukraine’s Odesa, authorities say
Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov had stated that at least 20 drones had converged on the city, a common Russian target, and that at least one multi-story apartment complex was on fire.
Videos posted online showed a fire engulfing floors near the top of one building and emergency crews moving extended ladders into place. Smoke billowed from windows. Parents were seen carrying children to safety in blankets.
