Russian forces launched a widespread drone attack on Ukraine overnight, targeting the Odesa region and causing damage to civilian and transport infrastructure. While the assault caused disruption and localized damage, Ukrainian air defenses reportedly intercepted a significant portion of the incoming drones.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia attacked with 83 strike drones from five directions – Millerovo, Bryansk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, and Hvardijske and Chauda in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea – beginning at 6:30 PM local time on February 14th and continuing through the early hours of . The drones were identified as a mix of Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas models, with approximately 50 of the drones being Shaheds.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 55 enemy UAVs were shot down or suppressed. However, impacts from 25 strike drones were recorded at 12 locations, and debris from downed drones fell in 3 locations. The Air Force warned that the enemy UAV attack was ongoing as of 8:00 AM local time and urged citizens to follow safety rules.
The attack on the Odesa region specifically caused damage to administrative structures at a railway station. A railway tank car was also hit, resulting in a fuel leak and subsequent fire, which firefighters were able to extinguish. An abandoned building also sustained a fire on its roof, quickly brought under control by emergency services.
Serhii Lysak, head of the Odesa city military administration, stated that the blast wave from the strikes damaged windows in residential buildings and educational institutions in one district of the city. As of the latest reports, there were no immediate reports of casualties. However, the Odesa City Council reported power outages in several districts – Kyiv, Primorsky, Khadzhybeisky, and parts of Peresypsky (Slobidka, Peresyp) – leaving residents without water. Technicians are working to restore power, and water supply is expected to normalize once electricity is restored.
The attacks on Odesa follow a pattern of escalating Russian strikes targeting Ukrainian infrastructure, particularly in port cities crucial for grain exports. The targeting of railway infrastructure suggests a continued effort to disrupt Ukraine’s logistical capabilities and hinder its ability to receive military aid and maintain economic activity.
Elsewhere, drone strikes in the Zaporizhzhia region on the same night resulted in significant damage to a private house and injured three people, according to earlier reports. Russian drones struck Kryvyi Rih and Pavlohrad in the Dnipropetrovsk region, damaging homes and injuring an 81-year-old woman in Pavlohrad, who was hospitalized in moderate condition.
The broader context of these attacks comes as Ukraine continues to seek increased military assistance from Western allies. The ongoing drone strikes highlight Ukraine’s continued vulnerability to Russian air attacks and the critical need for advanced air defense systems. The attacks also occur ahead of anticipated peace talks, brokered by the United States, raising questions about Russia’s commitment to a negotiated settlement.
The Ukrainian Air Force utilized aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups to counter the air assault. The successful interception of a majority of the drones demonstrates the effectiveness of Ukraine’s integrated air defense system, bolstered by Western aid. However, the fact that 25 drones reached their targets underscores the challenges Ukraine faces in defending its airspace against a sustained and evolving threat.
The situation in the regions of Kyiv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk remains difficult regarding electricity supply, according to reports. The attacks represent a continued escalation in Russia’s campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure, aiming to weaken the country’s resilience and exert pressure on its government and population.
The attacks on , saw a high-rise in the Odesa region hit by a drone, and homes damaged in the Dnipropetrovsk region. These earlier attacks, like the most recent, resulted in civilian injuries and damage to critical infrastructure.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to have significant geopolitical implications, impacting energy markets, global food security, and the broader security architecture of Europe. The attacks on Odesa and other regions serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of the war and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.