Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised an alarm following a large-scale Russian drone assault that struck several regions across Ukraine overnight, causing widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, energy facilities, and residential areas.
The attack, which involved more than 160 drones, marked one of the heaviest aerial barrages in recent weeks.
The city of Odesa was among the hardest hit. According to Zelenskyy, Russian forces launched more than 50 drones at the port city, deliberately targeting energy infrastructure and civilian sites.
At least five residential buildings were damaged, with apartments and stairwells suffering severe destruction.
Dozens of civilians were reported injured, including children, as emergency services rushed to the scene.
“A brutal drone attack on Odesa,” Zelenskyy said, describing the scale and intensity of the strike.
Rescue teams, medical personnel, and other emergency responders were deployed immediately.
Authorities said search-and-rescue operations would continue until the fate of all residents potentially trapped under the rubble is established.
Civilian and Religious Sites Hit, Zelenskyy Confirms
Among the sites struck in Odesa was a prayer house belonging to Evangelical Christians, raising further concern over the targeting of non-military and religious facilities. Ukrainian officials noted that attacks on civilian spaces continue to raise questions about Russia’s conduct in the war.
“Energy infrastructure and civilian facilities were the primary target,” Zelenskyy stated, underscoring the impact on daily life and essential services.
The damage to power infrastructure added pressure to already strained systems, with disruptions reported in multiple areas following the overnight strikes.
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Multiple Regions Under Attack
Beyond Odesa, several other regions came under attack, including Lviv, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv.
In these areas, Russian drones targeted energy installations and other critical infrastructure.
Injuries were reported in different regions, though authorities were still assessing the full extent of the damage at the time of the statement.
Overall, Zelenskyy said Russia launched 165 attack drones against Ukraine overnight, around 100 of them identified as Shahed-type drones.
Ukrainian air defences intercepted a number of the drones, but several strikes penetrated defences and caused damage on the ground.
“Every such Russian strike erodes the diplomacy that is still ongoing,” Zelenskyy warned.
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Call for Stronger International Pressure
Zelenskyy argued that continued Russian attacks undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war and weaken initiatives by Ukraine’s international partners. He called on the United States, Europe, and other allies not to remain silent in the face of escalating attacks.
The Ukrainian president stressed that achieving lasting peace requires direct pressure on Moscow. He specifically cited the need for stronger sanctions, the blocking of Russian operations, and restrictions on the infrastructure supporting Russia’s tanker fleet.
“Without pressure on the aggressor, wars do not stop,” Zelenskyy said.
He also emphasised the importance of sustained and predictable support for Ukraine’s population and armed forces, alongside faster implementation of existing international agreements.
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