1 killed in fire, 3 injured in Russian drone attack on Odesa
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
At least one person was killed and three were injured as a fire engulfed a residential building amid a Russian drone attack on Odesa overnight on July 19.
"The enemy launched a massive attack on Odesa with strike drones. Despite the active work of our air defense forces, there is damage to civilian infrastructure," Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper first said at approximately 1:01 a.m. local time in a Telegram post.
Emergency services are cleaning up debris as a result of the attack, and casualty figures are preliminary.
"As a result of the attack, a fire broke out on the 6th to the 9th floors of a 9-story residential building. The fire was extinguished by rescuers along with volunteers," the State Emergency Service said.
Five people were rescued from burning apartments, but one of the rescued women died, local authorities reported.
"All authorized services have started working on eliminating the consequences of the attack. Information regarding casualties is being clarified," Kiper said.
Temporary shelter and relief are being provided at a local daycare where an operational headquarters has been deployed, Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov reported.
"Emergency services, the district administration, and Red Cross volunteers continue to work," he said.
Russia has intensified drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, prompting Kyiv's allies to toughen sanctions on Moscow and renew support for Ukraine.
Russian attacks killed at least seven people and injured another 25 in Ukraine, regional authorities reported early on July 18.
