Russia Launches Drones and Missiles at Southern Ukraine
Russia has kicked off fresh air strikes on southern and eastern Ukraine, firing drones and possibly ballistic missiles, Ukraine’s air force revealed. The Ukrainian military warned on Telegram that the southern port city of Odesa and regions like Mykolaiv, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhia, and Dnipropetrovsk face drone attack threats.
Air Defences Brace for Multiple Waves of Assault
The Ukrainian air force also fears Russia is using ballistic weaponry to hit areas including Poltava, Cherkasy, Kharkiv, and Kirovohrad. Oleh Kiper, the top military official in Odesa, confirmed local air defences are actively engaging Russian drones, expecting several waves of strikes.
Odesa Attacked After Russia Snubs Grain Export Deal
The drone attack on Odesa comes shortly after Russia refused to renew the Black Sea grain export deal. This lifeline, agreed last July, had allowed vital Ukrainian grain to safely leave Black Sea ports despite the war. Russia claims parts of the deal covering its own food and fertiliser exports weren’t honoured, leading to the breakdown.
Iranian-Made Shahed Drones Spotted in Attacks
Social media reports suggest Iran-made Shahed drones targeted sites in the Mykolaiv region, adding a new angle to Russia’s latest air offensive.
