Russian drones attack Kharkiv and Odesa, killing at least 5, including child

On the night of March 2, Russian occupation forces launched another attack with Shahed-131/136 'kamikaze' drones at Ukraine.

Eight attack drones were launched from the Black Sea to Odesa region, according to the Southern Defense Forces. Ukrainian air defense units repelled the attack within an hour, destroying seven targets.

One of the drones hit a 9-storey building in a residential area during maneuvers among Odesa's residential neighborhoods. Part of the entrance with 18 apartments was destroyed.

As of 12:50, a total of 4 people died, including a child, and 8 people were injured, including a child. 5 people have been rescued.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office, there may still be people under the rubble, and 6 residents of the house are missing. 

The body of a 3-year-old boy was pulled from the rubble. The Odesa City Council wrote that the boy's name was Tymofiy, his mother is still under the destroyed building, and rescuers are looking for her.

Later, the State Emergency Service said that 4 bodies were found under the rubble on the first floor, and that work was underway to unblock them.

At 2:50 p.m., rescuers freed a fifth body from the rubble on the first floor level. As of 3:20 p.m., 5 people were reported dead, including one child.

Drones attack Kharkiv

The occupation troops also launched drone strikes on the city of Kharkiv on the night of March 2. At this moment, two cars were found to be on fire. This was reported by the head of the Kharkiv military administration, Oleh Syniehubov, on Telegram. 

According to him, there are currently no known victims. Windows were smashed in several multi-storey buildings, two cars burned to the ground, and garages were damaged. The liquidation of the consequences continues.

Dmytro Chubenko, a spokesman for the regional prosecutor's office, told that one of the Shaheds launched by Russian troops at Kharkiv hit a yard in the Shevchenkivskyi district. According to him, four cars and about ten garages were damaged. Windows in more than a dozen apartments in nearby high-rise buildings were also smashed.

"There is no information about injured or dead. This is a civilian building, a residential area. The attack drone hit the middle of the garage cooperative. Forensic and explosive experts are looking for parts of the drone. These fragments will be sent for examination," Chubenko said

Later in the morning, the Kharkiv Prosecutor's Office reported that three people were injured in a Russian UAV attack on a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv - women aged 76, 66, and 44. All three had an acute stress reaction and were treated on the spot.

In Shevchenkivskyi district, 4 houses, 17 cars and 5 garages were damaged.