KYIV: One woman was injured and port infrastructure and buildings were severely damaged in Russia’s overnight missile and drone attack on the port of Odesa in southern Ukraine, Ukraine’s military said on Monday.
The southern command of Ukraine’s armed forces, communicating via the Telegram messaging app, reported significant damage to the Odesa sea port, with a fire erupting in the port’s hotel, which had been non-functional for several years. The fire was promptly extinguished by firefighters.
Ukraine’s Air Force announced the successful neutralization of 19 Iranian-made Shahed drones, 11 cruise missiles, and two hypersonic missiles that Russia had launched during the overnight attack, with the majority targeting Odesa. Three additional drones were intercepted earlier on Sunday, as per their statement. Reuters was unable to independently corroborate this information.
Governor Oleh Kiper of the Odesa region earlier reported that a woman had been hospitalized due to shrapnel injuries caused by the blast wave.
Photographs shared by Ukraine’s southern military command on its Telegram channel depicted a high-rise building with shattered windows and severe structural damage.
There was no immediate response from Russia regarding the attack.
The situation in Odesa and its ports has garnered significant attention from grain markets. This follows Ukraine’s announcement of a “humanitarian corridor” for ships to access Black Sea ports and load grain destined for African and Asian markets after Russia withdrew from a deal that had ensured the safe export of Ukraine’s grain.
In the southern Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul reported that one Russian drone had been downed, and falling debris had triggered a fire at an industrial facility, which was subsequently extinguished. No casualties were reported.
Russia’s defence ministry announced on Monday that its air defence systems had intercepted four Ukrainian-launched drones over the northwestern part of the Black Sea and the Crimean Peninsula. The extent of any damage or injuries resulting from these reported attacks was not immediately known.
Reuters could not independently verify the Russian report, and there was no immediate response from Ukraine.
Additionally, the ministry stated that four other drones were destroyed overnight over Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions.
