Regional Governor Oleh Kiper reported multiple waves of long-range drones, which damaged infrastructure, homes, and commercial property, including a car repair shop where at least 25 vehicles were engulfed in flames.
“We could do nothing except watch,” said the owner, who gave her name as Inna.
Military analyst Oleksandr Kovalenko called it one of the “most massive” Odesa attacks since Russia’s February 2022 invasion: “It was intimidation—terror against civilians.”
Peace push and targeted infrastructure
The strikes come amid U.S. attempts to negotiate a partial ceasefire that would halt attacks on energy infrastructure by both Russia and Ukraine. Moscow has dismissed a broader 30-day pause but—alongside Ukraine—told American officials it is willing to stop targeting power facilities.
Delegations from the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia are due to meet in Saudi Arabia on Monday to finalize details.
Russian-Ukrainian accusations in Kursk
Separately, officials in Kyiv and Moscow blamed each other for damaging a major Russian gas station in Russia’s Kursk region—a site retaken from Ukraine earlier in March.
Russia called it a Ukrainian terrorist act, while Ukraine denied any role and claimed Russia shelled the station in a “provocation.”
Ukraine’s air force reported Russia launched a total of 214 drones overnight. It said 114 were shot down and 81 “lost,” meaning suppressed by electronic warfare.
Ukrainian drones, meanwhile, have continued striking Russian oil installations and airfields deep inside Russian territory in recent days.
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Source: Reuters, PAP