Russia attacks Ukraine with drones: UAVs attack dormitories in Odesa, AFU destroyed 18 'shaheds' out of 24

It was reported by the AFU Air Force.

The message said, "On the night of May 4, 2023, the enemy launched another attack using 'Shaheds' from the north (Bryansk region) and from the south—the eastern coast of the Sea of Azov. The invaders deployed up to 24 Shahed-136/131 attack drones." 

This time, the Air Force, in collaboration with other defense components of Ukraine, managed to destroy 18 attack drones and one reconnaissance drone. 

Military operations were conducted in the northern, central, and southern regions of Ukraine, with the involvement of anti-aircraft missile systems, aviation, and mobile fire groups under the Air Command South and the Air Command Center.

Kyiv and the region

Earlier, the Kyiv military administration reported another air attack on Kyiv: “This marked the third such attack in the month of May! The intensity of these attacks on the capital had not been experienced since the beginning of the year! (The alarm continued in the capital for over 3.5 hours). The Russians conducted a comprehensive air strike on Kyiv using Shahed-type cluster ammunition and possibly ballistic missiles. (The final type of missiles used will be determined after further examination of the debris.)

According to preliminary information, Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted all enemy missiles and UAVs in Kyiv airspace. There were no civilian casualties, and no residential or infrastructure damage occurred in the city. 

However, about ten pieces of debris fell on different streets in the Shevchenkivskyi, Pecherskyi and Podilskyi districts of the capital as a result of the downing of enemy aircraft. The falling debris partially damaged parked cars (the number is being specified) and the road surface.

"There is no information about the victims. The rest is being clarified," said Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv Military Administration.

According to the Kyiv Regional Administration, non-residential buildings were damaged as a result of the attack on one of the communities in the region. There were no casualties or injuries.

"Air defense was actively working in the Kyiv region last night, as during previous Russian attacks," the statement said.

Odesa region

In addition, Vladyslav Nazarov, the spokesman of the Operational Command South, stated that the enemy launched 15 Shahed-131/136 drones over Odesa. Ukrainian forces managed to destroy 12 of them, but three drones targeted dormitories of an educational institution in Odesa, resulting in a promptly extinguished fire. No injuries were reported.

Nazarov also presented the downed enemy targets and mentioned that the reason for the attack was "marked sacredly" on the drones' tails: “For Moscow”

Air raid sirens were heard in various regions, including Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy, starting at 01:14. The alert then spread across most of Ukraine, with the Kyiv region receiving the alarm signal at 02:03. 

The first explosions were heard in Zaporizhzhia around 02:00, followed by subsequent explosions in the city. Yury Malashko, the head of Zaporizhzhia regional military administration, urged the population to remain in safe places until the alarm ceased.

RBC-Ukraine reported at least two explosions in Kramatorsk at around 01:30.

An air alert was announced in the Kyiv region around 02:20, with the Kyiv military administration informing the public about the operation of air defense. Informational silence was requested, urging people not to record or publish the activities of the air defense forces. 

At 02:45, an explosion was heard in Odesa, followed by multiple subsequent explosions. Around seven explosions were counted.

The Kharkiv region announced the end of the air raid alarm at approximately 03:30, while Vinnytsia region became “red”. Some regions concluded the alarm siren at 04:31. 

As of 06:28, the alarm had been canceled in all regions except Luhansk and temporarily occupied Crimea.