Russian Strikes Kill Several, Leave Southern Ukrainian Cities Without Power

Fresh Russian missile and drone attacks have killed and injured civilians across Odesa, Kharkiv, and other parts of Ukraine, as the war enters a prolonged and intense phase.

Authorities said eight people were killed in strikes on the southern port city of Odesa, with renewed attacks reported again on Thursday morning, according to regional officials.

In Kharkiv, a drone strike left two civilians injured, including a 77-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man.

Power Outages Hit Southern Cities

Local officials confirmed that the southern cities of Mykolaiv and Kherson were left without electricity following the attacks, further worsening humanitarian conditions in the region.

Massive Overnight Assault

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine’s air defence systems shot down 636 drones within 24 hours, describing the assault as one of the largest in recent times.

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched nearly 700 drones alongside 19 ballistic and cruise missiles overnight.

Zelensky warned that the continued attacks show Russia is not ready for peace, urging stronger international sanctions.

“Another night that proves Russia does not deserve any softening of global policy,” he said.

Calls for Global Action

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, condemned the strikes as war crimes and called on the international community to take immediate action through sanctions and increased support.

Peace Talks Stall

The conflict, now in its fifth year, has seen multiple rounds of peace negotiations, with the United States previously acting as a mediator.

However, talks have stalled in recent months, with attention shifting to tensions in the Middle East.

While Ukraine continues to push for a full ceasefire as a first step toward ending the war, Russia insists that a broader peace agreement must be reached before any ceasefire is implemented.