Russian drones strike Ukraine's Odesa overnight, wounding 18, officials say

Russian drones attacked Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa overnight, for the second time this week, wounding at least 18 people ​and damaging residential buildings, officials said on Thursday.

The strikes ‌caused the worst damage in the central Prymorskyi district, where high-rise and five-storey residential buildings were damaged, said Serhiy Lysak, the head of the local ​military administration. The attacks triggered large fires in upper ​floors and on a roof, which have since been ⁠contained, Lysak said on Telegram.

Emergency services said the number of injured ​could still change.

Odesa, a major Black Sea port and a focal ​point for Ukrainian exports, has been a repeated target of Russian attacks during more than four years of Russia’s war.

Fourteen people were injured in an attack on ​Monday.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia had launched one ballistic missile ​and 206 drones at the country since 6 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Wednesday , of ‌which ⁠172 drones were downed or neutralised. One missile and 32 drones hit at 22 locations, it added.

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Lysak said a 17-year-old boy was among the injured and two of the wounded were in intensive ​care in a ​serious condition.

He ⁠added that a kindergarten building was substantially damaged, and reported damage to a shopping centre, a hotel ​and administrative premises.

He posted photos of a fire ​raging ⁠in a building with its upper floor damaged, and flames and heavy smoke billowing from a high-rise building.

Dozens of buses and cars have ⁠been ​destroyed or damaged at several parking areas, ​he added.

In another district, strikes were recorded at infrastructure facilities, warehouse buildings and a ​garage cooperative, he said.