Russian drones attack ports of Odesa: Ukraine’s air defense downs 32 targets

On Wednesday night, the Russian forces once again attacked the Danube port infrastructure in the southern Odesa region with drones, injuring seven truck drivers.

Rubryka reports, citing the statement by Oleh Kiper, the head of the Odesa regional military administration and Defense Forces of Ukraine's south.

The head of the region reported that the Russians sent several groups of strike drones to the Izmail district.

"Unfortunately, there have been impacts with damage to the port and other civilian infrastructure," said Kiper. "Elimination of the consequences is ongoing. Rescuers are putting the fire under control."

Kiper initially reported that six civilians were injured. "Three of them are in serious condition. Another three are in moderate condition. All the victims are receiving medical assistance," he said.

The defense forces reported that anti-aircraft defense shot down over three dozen drones, but the port infrastructure was still hit.

"During 4.5 hours at night, the enemy attacked the Odesa region with attack drones. They again targeted the civil infrastructure of the Danube," the military said. "Air defense forces downed 32 unmanned aerial vehicles of the Shahed-131/136 type. Unfortunately, the impact on the port infrastructure damaged non-residential buildings and caused a fire in the truck parking lot. The fire was promptly extinguished." 

They added that seven civilian drivers were injured and were rushed to a medical facility with injuries of varying severity.

What we know about Russian attacks in Odesa region

In recent weeks, the Russian army has intensified its night attacks on the Odesa region, trying to destroy the port infrastructure.

On the night of September 4, the Russians launched Shahed attack drones over Odesa, 17 of which were downed by the air defense.

On this day, Ukraine's foreign ministry made a statement that during the Russian attack, drones fell and exploded on the territory of Romania.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis acknowledged the fall of the drone and said that after a survey of the area, fragments were found that "could be from a drone."

On September 9, the Navy of Romania deployed to research the Plauru district of Tulcea County and searched the area. Soldiers discovered new fragments of another drone that crashed on Saturday in Romania.

On the night of September 6, Russian invaders attacked the Izmail district of the Odesa region with attack drones, killing a person and causing destruction.

Spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk later stated that the Russian occupiers were attacking the Odesa region with kamikaze drones from a new batch.