A mother and baby were among the seven individuals who lost their lives in an overnight Russian drone assault on the Ukrainian city of Odesa, as per officials, marking yet another tragic toll of civilian casualties amid the relentless Russian bombing campaign.
The deceased woman, identified by her sister as Anna, was situated in her bedroom on the second floor of her apartment building at the time of the strike.
Described as a florist and decorator, Anna’s husband and daughter survived the drone attack, her sister disclosed.
Additionally, a two-year-old boy named Timofii was found amidst the rubble on the ground floor following the strike, according to Odesa City Municipality’s announcement on Telegram.
Tragically, Timofii was discovered on the eve of his third birthday, as stated by Oleh Kiper, the head of the Odesa region military administration, during a television interview.
Earlier in the day, Oleh Kiper, the head of the Odesa region military administration, stated that authorities were searching for up to 12 individuals, including four children.
The assault left the front facade of an apartment block reduced to ruins.
Andriy Kostin, Prosecutor General of Ukraine, emphasized that there were no military facilities nearby, labeling the attack as a deliberate targeting of civilians.
Sunday has been designated as a day of mourning in Odesa, as announced by the city’s administration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky underscored the necessity to bolster the country’s air defense capacities in response to the attack.
“One of the enemy drones hit a residential building in Odesa. 18 apartments have been destroyed,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday.
“More air defense systems, more missiles for air defense is what saves lives,” he said.
Ukraine has been appealing to its Western allies for increased military aid as Russia’s war against Ukraine reaches its third year.
Last week, Zelensky cautioned that “millions” could perish if US lawmakers fail to approve President Joe Biden’s $60 billion aid request for Kyiv, shortly after revealing that approximately 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have already lost their lives in the conflict.
Republican leadership in the House has thus far declined to schedule a vote on providing additional funding.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is deliberating whether to access its last remaining source of funding for military aid to bolster Ukraine’s war efforts against Russia, even without assurances of Congress replenishing those funds, as reported by multiple defense officials.