Heavy Drone Attack in Odesa
KYIV, Ukraine — A significant drone strike by Russian forces targeted the southern city of Odesa, resulting in at least two fatalities and injuring 23 others, including two children and a pregnant woman, as reported by officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged the U.S. to accelerate efforts to bring an end to the ongoing Russian aggression, which has persisted for nearly four years.
Officials indicated that over 50 unmanned aerial vehicles were involved in the Odesa assault, with some of these drones being newly upgraded by Russia for enhanced range and striking capabilities.
The drones primarily aimed at the local power grid, a repeated target during one of the coldest winters in years, and also struck five residential buildings. Recovery teams unearthed the bodies of two men, aged 90 and 52, from the rubble.
“Rescue efforts will persist until we ascertain the fate of anyone trapped beneath the debris,” Zelensky stated on Telegram, noting that unofficial places of worship had suffered damage as well.
“Each attack from Russia hampers ongoing diplomatic efforts and especially affects our allies’ endeavors to conclude this conflict,” he added.
Despite some advancement in diplomatic talks during the Trump administration to resolve the war, notable issues remain unresolved, particularly regarding territories occupied by Russia.
Analysts suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in no rush to end the conflict, despite challenges faced by Russian forces along a 1,000-kilometer front. There’s a belief that time might favor him, with Western support for Ukraine potentially declining and Ukrainian resistance likely to weaken under sustained pressure.
To bolster its military presence, Russia is offering financial incentives, releasing prisoners, and trying to attract foreigners into its ranks.
An investigation revealed that Bangladeshi workers were unwittingly brought to Russia with false assurances of civilian jobs before being thrust into combat in Ukraine.
Zelensky shared on Monday that the upcoming round of discussions between the U.S. and Russia is set for February 1, but he expressed a desire to expedite the meeting.
Meanwhile, he has called for stronger sanctions against Russia to push for compromise.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched 165 drones overnight, with 24 bypassing air defense systems and striking targets in seven regions.
In recent weeks, continuous assaults have caused damage to parts of Ukraine’s protected UNESCO sites in Odesa, Lviv, and city areas of Kyiv. These attacks have left hundreds of thousands without power. Zelensky reported that over 900 apartment buildings in various districts of Kyiv, a city housing around 3 million people and many Soviet-era high-rises, were without heating as of Tuesday.
Russia has made strides in enhancing its drone technology and tactics, leading to more successful strikes against Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense’s Major Intelligence Directorate revealed the deployment of Russia’s new Gelan 5 jet-propelled attack drone in combat for the first time. This drone can carry a 90-kilogram warhead, with a striking range of approximately 1,000 kilometers.
In retaliation, Ukraine has expanded its own drone production and is working on developing long-range interceptor drones.
On Tuesday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that its air defense systems shot down 19 Ukrainian drones overnight across several Russian regions.
