In a severe overnight assault, Russian drones targeted residential buildings and critical energy infrastructure in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa, leaving six people wounded, officials confirmed on Wednesday. Among the injured were a toddler and two other children, highlighting the attack's impact on civilians.
Details of the Odesa Drone Strike
The attack damaged four apartment buildings, according to Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa regional military administration. The region's power provider, DTEK, reported significant damage to two of its energy facilities. This incident is part of a broader escalation, with 10 electricity distribution substations in the Odesa region damaged just in December.
This year has seen Russia intensify its long-range strikes on Ukrainian urban centres. As the war nears its four-year mark in February, Moscow has increasingly focused on energy infrastructure, aiming to deprive Ukrainians of heat and running water during the harsh winter. The United Nations reported earlier this month that between January and November, more than 2,300 Ukrainian civilians were killed and over 11,000 injured—figures significantly higher than in previous years.
Putin's Defiant Stance Amid Diplomatic Moves
The drone attacks occurred against a backdrop of renewed diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump recently hosted Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating a settlement is "closer than ever." Zelenskyy is also scheduled for talks with European allies next week.
However, in his traditional New Year's address on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin made no mention of these talks. Instead, he reaffirmed his belief in Russia's eventual victory. He praised troops deployed in Ukraine as heroes "fighting for your native land, truth and justice" and declared, "We believe in you and our victory." His speech, recorded before the Kremlin, marked a return to tradition after the 2022 address delivered alongside military personnel.
Cross-Border Accusations and Military Support
Tensions were further inflamed by Russian claims that Ukraine attempted to attack Putin's residence with 91 long-range drones late Sunday. Ukrainian officials dismissed the allegation as a ruse to sabotage peace negotiations. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, labelled the Russian claims a "deliberate distraction."
On the support front, President Zelenskyy announced that Romania and Croatia are the latest nations to join a NATO fund for purchasing American weapons for Ukraine. Known as the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), the fund now has 24 contributing countries and has secured $4.3 billion, with nearly $1.5 billion pledged in December alone.
Military engagements continued unabated. Ukraine's air force stated that Russia launched 127 drones overnight, with 101 intercepted. Conversely, Russia's Defence Ministry claimed to have shot down 86 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions, the Black Sea, and annexed Crimea. A Ukrainian drone strike reportedly started a fire at an oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, which was later extinguished.
