Devastating Drone Strike in Odesa Claims Lives and Leaves Many Injured Amid Calls for Ceasefire

A Russian drone strike overnight resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals and left 15 others injured in a residential area of Odesa, according to Ukrainian emergency services on Thursday morning.

«Regrettably, two individuals lost their lives based on initial reports, with an additional 15 injured,» stated the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

The attack was deemed «large-scale» and caused damage to high-rise buildings, private residences, a supermarket, a school, and several vehicles.

Authorities confirmed that over 200 residents were evacuated from one affected building.

In response to the incident, Ukrainian presidential advisor Andrii Yermak called for an «immediate ceasefire» in a Telegram post early Thursday.

«We must advocate for this together with the United States,» Yermak expressed.

This strike occurred on the same day that Washington and Kyiv finalized a minerals agreement, which officials from former President Donald Trump’s administration characterized as a renewed commitment from the U.S. to support Ukraine.

Explosions were also reported in the northeastern city of Sumy, with air raid alerts sounding throughout Ukraine, including regions such as Sumy, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia.

Yermak criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin during the ongoing air strikes.

«Putin will always have the urge to kill until the end of his days, but through diplomacy and economic pressure, we will compel Russia to halt the war,» Yermak asserted.

«We are collaborating on this with our partners daily,» the presidential advisor noted, adding, «Upcoming significant diplomatic efforts will address our security and aim for a just and lasting peace.»