A deadly overnight drone attack by Russia has struck the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa, killing a 30-year-old mother, her two-year-old daughter, and another woman, according to regional authorities.
Odesa’s governor, Oleh Kiper, said the city came under a heavy wave of attacks late Monday night. At least 16 people were injured, including a pregnant woman and two young children.
The assault caused significant damage to residential buildings, energy infrastructure, and a kindergarten. Ukraine’s energy company DTEK reported that around 16,700 households across several districts were left without electricity, warning that repairs could take time due to the scale of destruction.
Footage from the scene showed rescue teams clearing debris from heavily damaged homes. One resident described how two drones hit his house—one striking the roof and another the center—causing the staircase to collapse and trapping residents inside.
The attack is part of a broader escalation as the war, which began with Russia’s Russian invasion of Ukraine, continues into its fifth year. Odesa remains a critical logistics hub and Ukraine’s largest port, vital for grain exports and maritime trade.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched around 140 drones overnight across the country, also targeting energy infrastructure in multiple regions including Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipro.
Zelenskyy renewed calls for increased air defense support, warning that Russia shows no intention of halting its attacks. He added that in the past week alone, Moscow has deployed more than 2,800 attack drones, nearly 1,350 guided aerial bombs, and over 40 missiles of various types.