Black day for Odesa: Aftermath of deadly Russian strike

Contents:

• Russian army strikes Odesa with Iskander missile
• Downed missile hits residential area
• Data on victims and injured persons
• Zelenskyy's reaction to the shelling

Russian army strikes Odesa with Iskander missile

Odesa has been suffering from attacks by Russian forces for the second consecutive day. After yesterday’s shelling, the city faced problems with power and heating supply. However, on November 18, the enemy launched a new strike.

At 11:57 a.m., the Russian forces fired a ballistic Iskander-M missile at Odesa. The strike hit residential buildings. Several houses, an educational facility, and a parking lot were damaged.

The State Emergency Service reported that as a result of the shelling, three apartment buildings, a university building, and two administrative buildings were damaged.

Additionally, a fire broke out after the strike, burning several dozen vehicles.

Photo: aftermath of the missile attack in Odesa (t.me/odeskaODA, t.me/truonline)

Meanwhile, Russian propaganda media report a "powerful strike" on a hotel-dormitory in Odesa, allegedly housing Ukrainian soldiers. The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council emphasizes that this is another cynical fake by Russia regarding strikes on "military targets."

Screenshot of facebook.com/protydiyadezinformatsiyi.cpd

Downed missile hits residential area

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Iskander-M missile launched by Russia at Odesa on November 18 was shot down by Ukraine's air defense.

However, the missile fragments fell in the Primorskyi district of the city, causing destruction and fatalities.

The Ukrainian Air Force also reported that prior to the missile strike, a Russian Orlan-10 drone, likely used for aerial reconnaissance, was shot down

Data on victims and injured persons

The number of casualties from the strike on Odesa continues to rise.

As of 4:19 p.m., the Odesa Regional Military Administration confirmed 47 people injured and 10 dead. Among the victims were 7 police officers, a medical worker, and 2 local residents.

Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, also stated that 4 children, aged 7, 10, and two 11-year-olds, were injured. The children were hospitalized with moderate injuries. Additionally, 30 adults were hospitalized, with three in critical condition.

November 19 is declared a day of mourning in Odesa.

"Another black day in the history of Odesa. Inhuman creatures are shooting at our Mother, killing our people, trying to extinguish the light and leave us without heat. Currently, the number of the wounded has reached 47. Mitigation of consequences of the enemy's attack is ongoing at the scene, and the fight for the lives and health of the wounded continues in hospitals," Kiper said.

Zelenskyy's reaction to the shelling

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the attack came after recent talks and meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting Russia's interest in continuing the war.

"These are not random strikes – they are demonstrative strikes. After calls and meetings with Putin, after all the false media rumors about holding back from attacks, Russia is showing what it is truly interested in: only war. And this message must be heard in every corner of the world, from the halls where the G20 members meet, to all the capitals of the world," said the President.

Sources: statements by Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov, Odesa Regional State Administration Head Oleh Kiper, Facebook posts by the Air Force and the State Emergency Service of Odesa region, a statement by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and posts from the Facebook page of the Center for Countering Disinformation.

On November 17, the Russian army launched a massive attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Due to the strikes, a critical power supply situation developed in Odesa. Additionally, two energy workers were killed during the missile strike in the region.