In the early hours of February 14, Russian forces launched drone attacks on the Ukrainian city of Odessa, according to regional governor Oleg Kiper.
The assault resulted in damage to the roof of a single-story residential building. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, but tragically, a woman lost her life in the incident. Kiper expressed condolences to the victim’s family, noting that the blast wave also shattered windows of nearby outbuildings.
This attack is part of a broader pattern, as Russian military forces frequently target Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure using various weapons, including strike drones, missiles, and artillery systems.
Ukrainian authorities and international organizations categorize these strikes as war crimes, emphasizing their deliberate nature. They argue that the assaults on essential services and healthcare facilities aim to deprive civilians of electricity, heat, water, communication, and medical assistance, which they consider indicative of genocidal actions.
In contrast, Russian leadership denies allegations that its military intentionally targets civilian infrastructure, asserting that it does not aim to harm non-combatants or destroy hospitals, schools, and energy facilities.
Russian drone strikes on Odessa resulted in civilian casualties and property damage, highlighting ongoing attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Authorities classify these actions as war crimes, while Russia denies targeting civilians.