News of War Staff Writer
Servicemen stand near a military vehicle at a defence position, where Ukraine's National Guard prepares to defend Odessa, if Russia chooses to attack in this direction, in Odessa, Ukraine, April 10, 2023. Ritzau Scanpix/Bo Amstrup via REUTERS
Ukraine Intercepts Russian Drone Attack on Odesa, Countering Heightened Aerial Offensive
KYIV - In a notable defensive effort, Ukraine successfully neutralised 19 out of 20 Shahed drones deployed by Russia during an extensive overnight offensive. This attack, primarily targeting the strategic Black Sea port city of Odesa, resulted in injuries to three individuals and caused damage to several residential structures.
The Ukrainian military reported that the Russian offensive persisted for over three hours, focusing on Odesa and other key southern regions. The aftermath of the drone strikes was evident in the destruction seen in one of the port's districts, where debris damaged residential buildings, a gas pipeline, and approximately a dozen vehicles. Consequently, about 130 residents were evacuated for their safety.
The South military command of Ukraine detailed the nature of the attack in a statement. "Main efforts of the enemy were concentrated on attacks on Odesa. The kamikaze drones entered at a critically low altitude from the Black Sea," they reported, highlighting the strategic downing of 11 drones in Odesa alone.
This incident is a part of a series of aggressive attempts by Moscow to disrupt key infrastructure in Ukraine's southern ports along the Black Sea. These attacks have escalated following Russia's withdrawal from a United Nations-mediated agreement. This deal was instrumental in ensuring the safe maritime transit of Ukrainian grain shipments, a critical aspect of both Ukraine's economy and global food supply chains.