Russian drones hit Odesa apartment building, 2 injured
State Emergency Service of Ukraine (Photo: Facebook.com/DSNSKHARKIV)
In the night of February 17, Russia launched an attack on Odesa using strike drones. The unmanned aircraft flew at very low altitudes, and the first explosions occurred before the air raid sirens were sounded, according to a post by Serhii Lysak, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration.
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Odesa has suffered further destruction after an enemy strike, with civilian buildings and infrastructure damaged. Emergency services are on site, and casualties have been reported.
Impact of the February 17 attack
During the overnight assault, a key infrastructure facility and several civilian buildings were damaged. In one district, a fire broke out on the upper floors of a residential high-rise, engulfing part of the building. Firefighters and emergency responders arrived promptly to contain the blaze and assist those affected.
In another district, commercial facilities were damaged, including a store and a service station. Experts are inspecting the area to assess the full extent of the destruction.
Casualties
Preliminary reports indicate that two people were injured. They are receiving all necessary medical care, and their condition is being monitored.
Emergency responders, medical teams, and municipal crews continue to work on site, addressing the aftermath of the attack and ensuring residents’ safety. Information on the full scale of the damage and any additional destruction is still being verified.
Eyewitness account and RBC-Ukraine correspondent report
The first explosion occurred suddenly, with no warning or indication of an incoming enemy attack. Monitoring channels soon reported drones approaching the city at very low altitudes.
The strike specifically hit the Kyivskyi district, better known as Tairove, but other areas were affected as well.
As a result of the attack, a store was completely destroyed by fire, a cosmetology salon and a garage cooperative were damaged, and shrapnel struck a multi-story residential building, though the full impact there remains unknown.
After the initial strike, many residents of nearby buildings went to their garages to retrieve their cars from under fire. At least one person sustained shrapnel injuries during a subsequent strike and was taken away by an ambulance crew.
Clearing debris and managing the aftermath is ongoing at the time of reporting. More accurate information is expected from official sources later.
The attack caused power outages, as well as disruptions to the water supply and heating in the Kyivskyi district.
For context, in January, the Russian military launched 91 ballistic missiles across Ukraine, setting a record for the highest number in a single month since the start of the full-scale invasion. In response to the sharp increase in attacks, Kyiv has intensified negotiations with partners to expand and modernize air defense systems to protect critical infrastructure and civilian sites.
On the night of February 16, Russian forces struck a medical facility in Kherson. Two hospital employees were injured and have received necessary medical care.
