KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Russian drones targeted the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa overnight, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuring at least 17, according to Ukrainian authorities on Saturday. This incident highlights the ongoing violence in the region, as the war between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate.
Emergency services reported that a drone struck a residential tower block in Odesa, damaging three floors and trapping residents inside. The two fatalities were identified as a married couple, while regional Governor Oleh Kiper stated that three children were among the injured. This attack underscores the grim reality of civilian casualties amidst the conflict.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Security Service announced the deployment of special drones to conduct an attack on the Kirovske military airfield, located in the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. A Ukrainian security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, shared that the operation resulted in the destruction of several military assets, including multi-purpose and attack helicopters (Mi-8, Mi-26, Mi-28) and the Pantsir-S1 self-propelled anti-aircraft missile and gun complex.
In response to Ukraine's drone activities, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that over 40 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and shot down over western Russia and Crimea during the night and into Saturday morning. There has been no immediate comment from Moscow regarding the attack on Odesa.
The conflict, now entering its fourth year, has seen an increasing reliance on long-range drone strikes, with both sides investing heavily in the development of sophisticated and lethal drone technology. The war has transformed into a testing ground for new military equipment, as evidenced by Ukraine's recent operations, including a covert drone mission in June that reportedly damaged or destroyed a significant portion of Moscow’s strategic bomber fleet.
Both Ukrainian and Russian forces are employing smaller, short-range drones extensively on the battlefield and near the approximately 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, with deadly consequences for civilians. A report from the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, published on Thursday, indicated that short-range drone strikes have resulted in at least 395 civilian deaths and 2,635 injuries between the onset of the war in February 2022 and April 2025. Notably, almost 90% of these attacks were attributed to the Russian armed forces.
Additionally, a report from the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, released on June 11, stated that more than 13,300 civilians have died and over 34,700 have been injured since the beginning of the conflict. This staggering toll emphasizes the humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold in Ukraine as the war persists.
For ongoing updates and coverage of the war in Ukraine, visit AP's dedicated section for the latest developments and insights.
