Russian drones struck a 21-story building in Odesa, Ukraine, on June 28, causing a fire that trapped residents and led to the deaths of a married couple. At least 14 others were injured, including three children, with rescue efforts hampered by ongoing air raid alarms.
The attack, which occurred overnight, was reported by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, which noted the complexity of the rescue operations due to the ongoing air raid alerts. The drone strike specifically targeted the building, igniting a fire on the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors, leaving several residents trapped in their apartments. First responders managed to rescue five individuals, including a small child, from the building before the fire spread further.
Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper confirmed the deaths of the married couple, stating that their bodies were recovered from the damaged structure. He also reported that at least 14 other civilians were injured, with two of the casualties being children who are currently receiving treatment in medical facilities. The incident adds to the growing toll of civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict, highlighting the devastating impact of the war on Ukrainian cities.
Odesa, a port city with a population of around 1 million, has been a frequent target of Russian attacks since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The latest drone strike follows a major attack on June 20, which resulted in one civilian fatality and 14 injuries, including three first responders. Russian missile and drone attacks have increased significantly in May and June, raising concerns about the escalating scale of the conflict.
As the situation develops, Odesa continues to face significant risks from aerial attacks, with local authorities working to improve emergency response capabilities. The continued targeting of civilian infrastructure underscores the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine, with thousands of lives affected by the ongoing war.