Russian drones struck the Ukrainian cities of Odesa and Kharkiv overnight, injuring at least 18 people, setting a high-rise apartment building ablaze, and damaging civilian infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said on Friday.
In the southern port city of Odesa, a massive drone attack caused more than 10 fires. A 23-story residential building was struck, starting a fire on its upper floors and forcing the evacuation of 600 residents, the State Emergency Service (SES) reported. Officials confirmed that 14 people were injured in the Odesa attacks, including three rescuers hurt by a structural collapse while battling a blaze at a separate four-story building. A university building and a gas pipeline were also hit.
In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, drone strikes were reported in the Shevchenkivskyi and Osnovianskyi districts. At least five private houses were damaged, and four people, including two girls aged 12 and 17, were treated for injuries or acute stress reactions.