Russian drone attack kills two in Odesa and sparks fires across city

A deadly drone strike on Odesa has left two dead and caused extensive damage to homes, schools, and infrastructure, local officials report.

Russian drones targeted the Ukrainian port city of Odesa early Thursday, killing two people and injuring 15 others, according to emergency services. The attack caused fires and damaged multiple buildings and infrastructure across the city.

Regional governor Oleh Kiper stated that the strike impacted residential blocks, private homes, a supermarket, a school, and several vehicles. Firefighters were deployed to contain the fires that broke out in several locations.

Ukraine's state railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, confirmed damage to railway infrastructure, including tracks, the contact network, and three freight wagons. One of the individuals killed was a railway worker. Despite the damage, passenger trains continued operating on schedule, and freight services were redirected via alternative routes.

Ukraine's air force reported that Russia had launched five ballistic missiles and 170 drones overnight. Of these, 74 drones were intercepted, and 68 more failed to reach their targets due to electronic warfare defences. The fate of the remaining drones and missiles was not disclosed.

Visual footage shared by Kiper revealed extensive damage, including a high-rise building with its facade destroyed, broken storefronts, and active fires.

In a separate incident in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed a drone hit a petrol station in the city centre, igniting a fire.

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