Two Dead and Eight Injured in Russian Attacks on Odesa, Apartment Block Damaged

Two people were killed and eight others injured in a new wave of Russian attacks on the port city of Odesa, Ukrainian authorities said on Thursday evening.

Deputy mayor Oleksandr Filatov said a missile struck an apartment building. A school, vehicles and other civilian infrastructure were also damaged in the attack.

Ukrainian emergency services reported that one of the victims was a woman who was in a park with her children when the attack occurred. Her children survived.

The city of Odesa has been hit by missiles and drones for the fifth consecutive day. A day earlier, local authorities had reported three people killed and three injured in the bombardment.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the ongoing Russian offensive against the port city is a response to Ukrainian attacks on merchant ships, particularly in the Sea of Azov.

The Financial Times, citing data from maritime security company Ambrey, wrote that the latest strikes have reduced grain exports from the port of Odesa by nearly a third. This has heightened concerns over the consequences of the war for international trade and the global food supply.