Russia launches drone and missile attacks on Ukraine; strikes reported in multiple regions

On the evening of Wednesday, January 24, Russia initiated an assault using Shahed drones. An industrial facility in Odesa was struck, causing damage to residential buildings and infrastructure, with casualties reported

Situation in Odesa

The Russian aggressor launched attack UAVs from the south, with multiple Shahed groups observed over the Black Sea heading toward Odesa.

Explosions were reported in the city after 21:00. The Southern Defense Forces engaged in air defense efforts, confirming a fire outbreak in the city.

The Odesa regional military administration reported damage to civilian housing infrastructure, stating, "Fires have been recorded. One victim is known so far, an Odesa resident with burns. Medical assistance is being provided."

Around 10:00 p.m., another victim emerged from the Russian drone attack on Odesa: "The man was hospitalized with multiple cuts. Fortunately, there is no threat to life."

Head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration Oleh Kiper later revealed that Russian terrorists targeted Odesa twice with attack drones.

"Despite the effective work of the Air Defense Forces in repelling enemy attacks, unfortunately, an industrial facility, residential buildings, and civil infrastructure were damaged in Odesa," read the official post in Telegram. 

He mentioned two previously known victims, with ongoing updates on the situation.

Early in the morning, the Southern Defense Forces clarified details of the night attack, revealing that a downed drone struck a partially occupied multi-story building in Odesa's Khadzhybeyskyi district, causing a fire. This incident resulted in damage to several apartments, and one individual sustained burns, subsequently receiving treatment in the hospital.

Another drone crashed through the roof of a two-story residence in the Prymorskyi district, with a second UAV falling in the same area near a previously damaged apartment building. The blast wave caused significant damage to nearby houses, resulting in a car in the yard being completely burned, and others suffering damage. Four people sustained injuries and were treated on-site, with rescuers successfully freeing one victim trapped under debris.

"The enemy targeted the warehouse of a furniture factory in Odesa's industrial district. A substantial fire erupted due to the presence of flammable substances. A man riding a bicycle nearby was thrown to the ground by the shock wave, sustaining injuries from scattered debris," stated military officials.

Natalia Humeniuk, head of the United Coordination Press Center of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine, provided additional details on the attack during an Espreso morning broadcast.

"Regrettably, even downed drones caused significant harm to Odesa. One struck a less densely populated new building, resulting in a fire and damage to several apartments. Additionally, the drones followed a similar trajectory, approaching low over the water before traversing residential areas. In a location already affected by a prior incident, a drone penetrated a roof," explained Humeniuk.

Simultaneously, a furniture factory warehouse was hit, and an individual on a bicycle suffered injuries from the shock wave and debris.

In response to the situation, Odesa has established heating points where affected individuals can seek assistance.

Destruction in Dnipropetrovsk region

In the Kryvyi Rih district, an enemy attack using a UAV destroyed a local enterprise, confirmed Serhiy Lysak, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration. A fire broke out during the incident, which has since been extinguished by rescuers.

Artillery shelling was also reported in Nikopol and the Myrove community of Nikopol district, with no reported injuries.

Missile attack on Kharkiv region

Around 9:30 p.m., Russian missiles targeted settlements in Kharkiv and Chuhuyiv districts, causing two fires, according to the State Emergency Service. 

In the village of Velyka Rohan, two private houses and a car covering a total area of 50 square meters were set ablaze. Two neighboring private homes and an outbuilding were destroyed in the explosion. Four people, including a 17-year-old, sustained injuries during the attack.

In the village of Rozdolne of the Novopokrovka community, a missile struck a private enterprise, occupying two warehouse buildings totaling 250 square meters.

Injuries were reported among women aged 60, 39, and 26, with mild conditions and on-site assistance. The 17-year-old suffered injuries to the soft tissues of the head, face, and limbs.

Shahed attack from the South and East

After 21:00, UAV attacks were documented in various regions, including several groups in the southern part of Kharkiv region heading northwest and in the Berezanka district of Mykolaiv region following a northern course.

At 11:14 p.m., several groups of Shahed drones were sighted in the Dnipropetrovsk region, moving towards Kryvyi Rih from the north.

By 00:34, the head of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykola Oleschuk, reported the successful defense against a Shahed UAV attack, stating, "Another attack by the Shaheds has just been repelled. The results will be shared in the morning."