Ukrainian President Calls for More Air Defence Systems After Deadly Russian Drone Strike on Odesa
In a tragic turn of events, at least eight people, including a four-month-old baby and a three-year-old child, were killed in a Russian drone strike on the southern city of Odesa. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Western allies to provide more air defense systems to protect the country from further attacks. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with Russian troops making recent gains and Ukraine facing arms shortages.
President Zelensky condemned the attack, stating, “Russia continues to wage war on civilians.” The situation in Ukraine has been dire, with Moscow taking control of the key eastern town of Avdiivka last month. As a result, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief has indicated that he will replace some military leaders on the eastern front.
The devastating strike in Odesa resulted in the destruction of a nine-storey building. Rescue efforts have been ongoing, with the death toll rising steadily throughout the day. At least eight people have been confirmed dead, and another eight injured. However, there are still individuals unaccounted for, raising fears that the death toll will continue to rise.
In response to the attack, President Zelensky took to social media to express the urgent need for more air defense systems. He emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s air shield to protect its people from “Russian terror.” The Ukrainian air force reported downing 14 or 17 drones launched by Russia overnight. Russian forces have been using Iranian-made drones to target Ukrainian sites since their invasion two years ago. In retaliation, Ukraine has also targeted Russian sites, particularly oil facilities.
Interestingly, on the same day as the drone strike in Odesa, a drone struck a residential building in St Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and about 100 people were evacuated. Some Russian media outlets speculated that the incident could have been caused by a downed Ukrainian drone heading towards a fuel depot. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Kremlin regarding this theory.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing for three years since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion. The fall of Avdiivka marked a significant change on the front line, as it was the biggest territorial loss for Ukraine since Russian troops seized the nearby town of Bakhmut in 2023. Avdiivka had been a site of intense fighting for months, and this week, Ukraine’s military had to withdraw from two nearby villages due to a shortage of weapons and ammunition from their Western allies.
In response to the situation, Ukrainian forces’ commander-in-chief, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced plans to replace some commanders on the eastern front. He expressed his concern for the lives of troops and stated that he would send groups of specialists to brigades facing challenges in order to provide assistance and transfer experience. Gen Syrskyi praised certain brigades and promised to provide reserves, ammunition, and expertise based on feedback from front-line units. He acknowledged that the situation on the front line remains difficult but under control.
This recent drone strike in Odesa serves as a tragic reminder of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. President Zelensky’s call for more air defense systems reflects the urgent need to protect Ukrainian civilians from further attacks. As the conflict continues, Ukraine’s military leadership is taking steps to address challenges on the eastern front and ensure the safety of their troops. The international community must come together to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and prevent further loss of innocent lives.