Serhii Smolientsev/Reuters
A residential building is damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, July 23, 2023.
CNN
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Russian airstrikes in Odesa overnight damaged at least six residential buildings, a Ukrainian Orthodox Church and “architectural monuments,” according to Ukraine’s southern Operational Command.
“Dozens of cars were damaged, facades and roofs of many buildings in the city were damaged and windows were broken,” it said in a statement on Telegram.
“Many craters have formed in the city. There will be power outages, which may disrupt traffic and the route of public transport may be changed.
The strikes on Saturday night killed at least one person, the statement said, and left at least 19 injured.
“Another 19 people including four children were injured. Eleven adults and three children were hospitalized while others were treated on an outpatient basis,” the statement said.
Ukraine struggled last week to repel a wave of Russian strikes against Odesa – its air defenses could not cope with the types of missiles used by Moscow to pound the region.
By Friday residents had endured at least four nights of bombing.
A CNN team on the ground began hearing explosions on Thursday, with near-continuous strikes lasting at least 90 minutes — followed by air raid sirens on Friday as Russian troops fired more missiles from the Black Sea.
In a statement on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Moscow’s latest strikes in Odesa.
“Missiles against peaceful cities, against residential buildings, a cathedral … There can be no reason for Russian evil,” Zelensky said. “As always, it will go badly and there will certainly be retaliation by Russian terrorists for Odesa. They will feel this retaliation,” he said, adding that the injured were given medical assistance.
“I thank everyone who helps people and everyone who is with Odesa in their thoughts and emotions. We will get through this. We will restore peace. And for this, we must defeat the evil Russians.
His words came as local military commanders reported at least two deaths after overnight Russian strikes in the Kharkhiv region, including a 57-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man killed in Dvorichna district by gunfire.
“In the past day, the enemy has been extensively shelling settlements in Kharkiv, Chuhuiv, Kupyansk and Izium district with artillery, mortars and aircraft,” Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv region military administration, said in Telegram.
Civilian industrial buildings including at least three houses and outbuildings were also damaged by attacks in Kupyansk with rocket launchers, artillery cannons and mortars.
“Our defenders are holding their positions in the Kupyansk sector. The enemy is making no progress,” Syniehubov said.
