Russia launched a missile and drone strike on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and the province of Odesa early Wednesday, killing one civilian and caused fires and destruction at the Danube River port of Izmail, according to Ukraine’s military.
multiple agricultural and port infrastructure were damaged and multiple fires were recorded in Izmail, one of Ukraine’s important grain exporting ports, during a nearly three-hour drone strike on Odesa, according to Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper.
“An employee of an agricultural enterprise, who was seriously injured, died in the hospital,” Kiper said.
Ukraine’s air defence systems destroyed 23 out of the 33 air weapons Russia launched. They included 25 Iranian-made Shahed drones, seven cruise missiles and one Iskander ballistic missile, Ukraine’s Air Force said.
Reuters could not independently verify the reports. There was no immediate comment from Russia.
Russia also launched missiles at Kyiv early Wednesday, though Ukrainian air defence systems shot them all down, the capital’s military administration said.
“Another missile attack by the enemy on a peaceful city,” Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said on the Telegram messaging app.
Reuters’ witnesses in Kyiv heard several blasts which sounded like air defence systems being deployed at around 0550 a.m. (0250 GMT) when air raid alerts were issued across Ukraine before being called off about an hour later.
There was no immediate damage or casualties reported in Kyiv.
In its 18-month long war against Ukraine, Russia has frequently launched air attacks on Kyiv and other places in Ukraine far from the frontline.