Russia attacks Ukraine with drones: civilian casualties reported in southern regions amid multiple explosions

The Ukrainian Air Force reported the information.

Aftermath in Odesa and suburbs

At 05:06 a.m. on Friday, March 21, Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov reported that Russia attacked the outskirts of Odesa. Civil infrastructure, commercial buildings, and vehicles were damaged by fire.

"There are casualties. Medical teams are providing all necessary assistance - both at the scene and at the city hospital," he added.

At 06:13 a.m., the State Emergency Service added that large fires broke out as a result of the attack: a shopping mall, stores, and a multi-story building were burning. According to preliminary information, three teenagers were injured.

Over 70 rescuers participated in the aftermath response, with 22 firefighting vehicles, 5 volunteers, and one unit of equipment involved.

Valentyna Shultz, a member of the Odesa District Council and a volunteer, told Espreso TV that the epicenter of the explosions was in the area where she lives, Tairova and Kyivskyi district. 

"It was terrifying because they say Russia is using new drones with more destructive power. It's clear that the Russians have changed tactics – drones are flying one after another, and they can't be shot down in time. There were constant explosions for 30 minutes," she said.

According to Valentyna Shultz, the Russian army targeted residential areas of Odesa, with reconnaissance drones preceding the strikes. In the morning, a reconnaissance drone also flew over Odesa.

At 9:53 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, Suspilne reported that three explosions were heard in Odesa within four minutes. Later, Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov informed about repeated explosions.

Suspilne reported that as of 10:25 p.m., more than 15 explosions were heard in Odesa. Later, the Head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, stated that the Russians were attacking civilian objects in Odesa, and there were casualties.

By 11:17 p.m., the DTEK Odesa power grid website reported local emergency power outages.

"There are currently local emergency power outages in the Prymorskyi, Peresypskyi and Kyivskyi districts of Odesa. Specialists have already been dispatched to the site to carry out repairs and restore electricity supply," the message stated.

At 11:32 p.m., the head of the Odesa regional military administration, Oleh Kiper, reported that three people were injured as a result of the Russian attack, including a minor girl.

Additionally, a residential high-rise building, a shopping center, and stores were damaged. Furthermore, powerful fires broke out at three locations.

Aftermath in Zaporizhzhia

At 05:44 a.m. on March 21, Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, reported that the number of victims from the Russian attack on the Zaporizhzhia district had risen to six, including a 4-year-old boy.

"Aerial bombs destroyed two houses and damaged three private homes, as well as structures in a summer houses area. Fires broke out at the impact sites. The victims received all necessary assistance. The consequences of the attack are still being dealt with," he added.

Later, the head informed that as of 07:17 a.m., a 60-year-old man remained in the hospital due to injuries from the night attack. His condition was assessed as moderate. The other five victims, including the 4-year-old boy, are being treated on an outpatient basis.

At 9:06 p.m., the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration reported on the work of the air defense in the region. At 9:43 p.m., he informed about subsequent explosions in the Zaporizhzhia region, and by 9:55 p.m., at least four explosions were heard in frontline settlements. The consequences are being assessed.

At 10:31 p.m., Fedorov reported the aftermath of the Russian attack. According to him, one of the two victims was a child. At least four residential houses and summer houses were damaged.

At 11:17 p.m., the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration informed about three more Russian strikes, resulting in the destruction of objects in a frontline community.

"Preliminarily, at least three private houses were damaged due to the Russian guided bomb attack," the report says.

At 12:42 a.m., Fedorov wrote that the number of casualties had increased to five as a result of the Russian attack on the Zaporizhzhia district. Three women, a man, and a child were injured.

Attack on Dnipropetrovsk region

The head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration, Serhiy Lysak, reported that in the evening of March 20 and the morning of March 21, the Russians attacked the Nikopol region, using artillery and dropping munitions from UAVs.

“Nikopol, Marhanetska and Myrivska communities were affected. A 23-year-old man was injured. He received medical aid. He will be treated on an outpatient basis. A five-story building, an unused building, and a power line were damaged," said Lysak.

According to him, air defense forces destroyed 5 Russian drones over the Dnipropetrovsk region.

Aftermath in Kyiv region

At 11:36 p.m., the Kyiv regional military administration reported that air defense forces had been activated in the region. 

On the morning of March 21, the Kyiv regional military administration reported that Russian targets were shot down in the region.

Fortunately, there were no casualties among the population. No hits on critical infrastructure facilities were recorded either.

As a result of the attack, the following damage occurred:

• Brovary district: two private houses and a car. Windows were shattered, facades were damaged, and roofs were affected.
• Obukhiv district: a car and a garage.
• Fastiv district: farm buildings and a metal canopy.
• Boryspil district: a private house.

Emergency services are recording and eliminating the consequences of the Russian attack.

Attack on Sumy and Kremenchuk. Aftermath in Sumy region

At 9:52 p.m., Suspilne reported an explosion in Kremenchuk, Poltava region. 25 minutes later, an explosion was heard in Sumy.

In the morning, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that during the night of March 20-21, Russian occupiers carried out three strikes on one of the communities in the Sumy district. As a result of the hits, fires and destruction occurred.

The specialists of the State Emergency Service worked at three locations. The fire outbreaks were extinguished, and the areas hit by the strikes were inspected.

As a result of the incident, residential and summer houses, as well as vehicles, were damaged. Fortunately, there is no information about any casualties.