Russian forces launched a large-scale drone attack in the early morning hours targeting several Ukrainian regions, with the most severe consequences recorded in the south and north of the country. The hardest-hit area was the port city of Odesa, where three people were killed, while in the northern Chernihiv region hundreds of thousands were left without electricity due to damage to energy infrastructure.
Tragedy in residential areas
The attack on Odesa targeted civilian infrastructure in two city districts. According to local authorities, three people were killed in the rubble, including a two-year-old child. The number of injured rose to 16, including minors aged 17 and 18, as well as another two-year-old child.
Among the injured were also vulnerable individuals — a pregnant woman and an infant under one year old, both hospitalized.
In the Primorskyi district, a multi-story residential building and seven private houses were heavily damaged. In the Kyivskyi district, a kindergarten, a shop, a parking area, and several residential buildings were hit. Rescue operations are ongoing, as people may still be trapped under the debris.
Energy collapse in the north
While Odesa counted its victims, northern Ukraine faced a major blackout. In the Chernihiv region, Russian strikes hit key energy facilities.
Initially, the Novhorod-Siverskyi district lost power for 10,000 consumers. Later strikes left around 340,000 users without electricity in Nizhyn, Chernihiv, and Pryluky districts. Combined with additional damage in Koriukivka, the number exceeded 600,000 affected people.
Strikes on energy infrastructure were also recorded in Sumy region, Kharkiv region, and Dnipropetrovsk region.
Record number of drones
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 141 drones overnight, including Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas types. Ukrainian air defense intercepted or neutralized 114 of them.
Despite this, 26 drones struck targets at 17 locations across the country.
Zelensky’s appeal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on international partners to strengthen air defense.
He noted that in the past week alone, Russia launched over 2,800 drones, 1,350 guided bombs, and more than 40 missiles at Ukraine.
He stressed that supporting Ukraine is not only a regional issue but a shared responsibility for European security.
Night of repairs, day of mourning
Repair crews worked throughout the night to restore electricity, while residents of Odesa prepare to bury the youngest victim of the latest attack.
