On June 28, late at night, the historic city of Odessa, located in southern Ukraine, faced another dangerous attack from Russia. This time, the assault was carried out using unmanned drones. Several of them struck a 21-story residential building in the city center. This not only caused a powerful explosion but also led to fires breaking out on several floors.
The emergency services reported that after the strike, a severe fire erupted on the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors, with some residents trapped in their homes. Search and rescue operations lasted for several hours.
One of the most tragic reports is that one family was completely destroyed as a result of the attack. According to Oleg Kiper, head of the Odessa regional military administration, a man and his wife were killed as a result of the drone strike. They were found by rescuers under the rubble.
The number of injured reached six, including two minors. The first child is 7 years old and sustained moderate injuries. The second child is 3 years old and was hospitalized due to choking and poisoning from smoke.
The Odessa authorities are assessing the attack as a "terrorist act directed against the civilian population." It was emphasized that there were no weapons or military objects in the residential buildings at the time of the attack.
Such attacks have become one of the frequently used tactical methods by Russia in recent times. According to Ukrainian officials, the drones launched by Russia are mainly Iranian-made "Shahed" type devices, with the primary goal of weakening civilians and the country's infrastructure.
This incident in Odessa once again highlighted the high level of danger faced by the civilian population in Ukraine. At the same time, it confirmed that Russia's military actions are ongoing not only at the front lines but also in peaceful cities.
Currently, search and rescue operations are continuing. The apartments where the attack occurred are being thoroughly examined, and it is being determined whether there are more victims. Special equipment and rescuers are on duty in the areas of the city where the fire risk has increased.
There is deep mourning and concern among the residents of Odessa. People are considering not leaving their homes and moving to safer places. Some local citizens are requesting protective equipment and assistance through Telegram and Facebook.
According to the residents of Odessa, this drone attack is the third assault on the city in the last two weeks. Last week, port and infrastructure facilities were also hit by drone strikes, resulting in several injuries.
In conclusion, it is becoming increasingly clear that Russia's military actions against Ukraine pose a threat to every household and every family. The international community must take a firmer stance regarding these events. It is more urgent than ever to adhere to the principles of peace and international law to prevent such tragedies and to take measures to ensure that the number of victims does not increase.
