At least three people unaffiliated with military operations have sustained injuries after Russian drone strikes hit the Ukrainian coastal city of Odesa.
The attack started fires and caused extensive damage to local infrastructure with a church and pharmacy among the damaged buildings, regional authorities reported.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 97 drones early Tuesday morning, of which 57 were shot down.
The drone attack against Odesa was followed by the shelling of the port city of Kherson on Wednesday morning.
According to Ukraine’s Emergency Services, the strike led to one death and a minimum of three people being injured.
Last week, the Russian military received international condemnation for the deaths of 34 civilians in the north-eastern town of Sumy while celebrating Palm Sunday.
The attacks come only hours after NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte finished a surprise visit to Odesa where he met with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“I’m here today because I believe Ukraine’s people deserve real peace, real safety and security in their country, in their homes,” Rutte said, adding that he supported ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia.
