The Situation in Odesa is Very Severe: Zelensky Addresses Residents

Russia has struck Odesa with drones, while Kyiv has retaliated in Melitopol. The Ukrainian army stated that they shot down 10 drones on Saturday, but another five hit energy facilities, leaving about 1.5 million people without electricity.

Later, the exiled mayor of Melitopol announced that a strike had been carried out on the city controlled by Russia. Ukrainian officials indicated that Russia primarily used combat drones of real production against the port city of Odesa.

“The situation in the Odesa region is very severe,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky in his nightly video address. “Unfortunately, the strikes were critical, and therefore it will take more time to restore electricity. This will not require hours, but several days.” Since October, Moscow has been targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure with waves of missile and drone strikes.