The death toll from the Russian nighttime shelling in Odessa is rising. One of the drones hit a residential building, collapsing 18 apartments. Local authorities have already reported four deaths, including a 3-year-old child.
The attack occurred at approximately 2 am, the head of the Odessa OVA, Oleg Kiper, reported several damaged high-rise buildings, and people began to be searched for under the rubble.
Soon it became known about the first deaths.
PHOTO AUTHOR, State Emergency Service Photo caption, Rescuers are trying to retrieve the body of a dead child, who was found several hours later under the rubble
Closer to lunchtime, the State Emergency Service reported that the body of a deceased 3-year-old child was discovered under the rubble on the first floor.
Local authorities said that the other dead included an elderly woman and a young man.
The search operation continues.
PHOTO AUTHOR, REUTERS Photo caption, Collapsed house in Odessa
Eight more people were injured, including a 3-year-old boy with minor injuries, a pregnant woman with moderate injuries, and a 26-year-old girl with "serious" injuries, local authorities wrote.
PHOTO AUTHOR, SES OF ODESSA REGION
PHOTO AUTHOR, SES OF ODESSA REGION
Several people were rescued. At least one man was pulled from the rubble alive. Rescuers' video shows that the man was clearly drunk. The OVA suggests that he was in the basement when he was hit.
President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.
“We need more air defense from partners. We need to strengthen the Ukrainian air shield to add protection to our people from Russian terror. More air defense systems, more air defense missiles – this is what saves lives,” the president said.
PHOTO AUTHOR, ODESSA OVA Photo caption, The rescue operation in Odessa lasted all night and continues
The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that on the night of March 2, Russia attacked Ukraine with Kh-59/Kh-35 guided aircraft missiles with a combined firepower of 17 strike drones.
14 out of 17 drones were shot down, but there were hits and debris falling in the Odessa and Kharkiv regions.
A 76-year-old man died in the village of Velykyi Burluk in the Kharkiv region, local authorities say.
In Kharkiv, houses, cars, and garages were damaged. Three people sought medical attention due to acute stress reactions, the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office reported.
