A Night of Horror, as Russian Drone Assault Brings Death to Odesa

As the war in Ukraine drags into its third year, Russian drone attacks on urban centers continue to exact a heavy toll.

In the early hours of Friday morning, the Black Sea port city of Odesa was hit by a wave of drone strikes that left one person dead and at least 14 injured, according to Ukrainian authorities.

Civilian and strategic sites targeted

Odesa, a vital hub for Ukraine’s imports and exports, has been a frequent target of Russian missile and drone assaults.

During this latest barrage, high-rise buildings, a gas pipeline, private vehicles, and even a higher education institution were damaged.

Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, stated that despite active air defense efforts, extensive civilian infrastructure was hit.

Photos released by local officials show smoldering debris and blackened buildings. Emergency services said at least 10 drones struck residential areas, igniting fires across multiple sites.

Railway station among damaged sites

Ukraine’s national railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, confirmed that Odesa’s railway station suffered damage, with power lines and tracks affected.

This could disrupt passenger and freight traffic in the southern region, which plays a crucial logistical role in the country’s wartime economy.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 86 drones in total during the night, with air defenses intercepting 34.

Another 36 drones were neutralized through electronic warfare tactics or turned out to be decoys.

According to Reuters, the strikes extended beyond Odesa, with additional drone attacks reported in Kharkiv, where several private and multi-storey homes were damaged.

As drone warfare intensifies, Ukraine’s cities face a growing risk to both civilians and key infrastructure.