Explosions rock Odesa as Russia targets city with drones, causing fire

The attack ignited a private home, a children’s toy warehouse, and a fuel reservoir.

“Details on casualties are still being confirmed. All relevant services are working to handle the aftermath,” Kiper said. 

Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov confirmed the blasts on Telegram, urging residents to stay in safe spots after earlier warning of a drone threat.  

An air alert was active across most of Ukraine, except the western part, as of 10:55 p.m. local time on March 10. 

Ukraine’s Air Force reported around 9:50 p.m. that a fresh wave of strike drones was heading toward Odesa Oblast from the Black Sea.

On March 7, Russian forces hit an energy facility in Odesa Oblast, marking the seventh such strike in three weeks, according to Ukraine’s DTEK energy company. 

Overnight into March 10, Russia attacked Ukraine with 176 Shahed drones and decoy UAVs, with air defenses downing 130 across 15 oblasts, including Odesa. Damage was reported in Kharkiv, Poltava, and Kyiv oblasts from that assault.