Russian drones strike Ukraine's Odesa overnight, wounding 18, officials say

Russian drones attacked Ukraine's southern city of Odesa ​overnight, for the second time ​this week, wounding at least 18 ‌people ​and damaging residential buildings, officials said on Thursday. The strikes caused the worst damage in the central Prymorskyi district, where high-rise ‌and five-storey residential buildings were damaged, said Serhiy Lysak, the head of the local military administration. The attacks triggered large fires in upper floors and on a roof, which have ‌since been contained, Lysak said on Telegram.

Emergency services said the number of injured ‌could still change. Odesa, a major Black Sea port and a focal point for Ukrainian exports, has been a repeated target of Russian attacks during more than four years of Russia's war. Fourteen people were injured ⁠in an ​attack on Monday. Ukraine's ⁠air force said Russia had launched one ballistic missile and 206 drones at the country since 6 ⁠p.m. (1500 GMT) on Wednesday , of which 172 drones were downed or neutralised. One missile and 32 ​drones hit at 22 locations, it added.

Lysak said a 17-year-old boy was ⁠among the injured and two of the wounded were in intensive care in a serious condition. He added ⁠that ​a kindergarten building was substantially damaged, and reported damage to a shopping centre, a hotel and administrative premises.

He posted photos of a fire raging in a ⁠building with its upper floor damaged, and flames and heavy smoke billowing from a high-rise building. Dozens ⁠of buses and ⁠cars have been destroyed or damaged at several parking areas, he added.

In another district, strikes were recorded at infrastructure facilities, warehouse buildings ‌and a ‌garage cooperative, he said.

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