“This is terror that solely seeks to annihilate lives”: Zelensky comments on Russian attack on Odesa

Ukraine does not understand and will not forget internal political games or disputes in partner states at a time when Ukrainians are dying due to Russian aggression.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated this in his evening video address.

Throughout the entire day, the rescue efforts in Odesa endured at the site where the Russian Shahed drone was struck. Currently, the State Emergency Service, along with the police and other organizations, persists in their work as there are reports of individuals trapped under the debris. This was a typical residential structure – one of numerous that the barbaric Russians demolished.

According to Zelensky, seven fatalities have been reported, including two children. One of the children, Tymofiy, was just four months old. The other child, Mark, is under three years of age.

Eight people were injured, including a three-year-old child and a girl. All those who were injured are provided with the necessary assistance. The president thanks everyone who participates in the rescue operation, who supports people. And it is very important to be together, to help.

"There is no military sense in such attacks by Shahed UAVs, and there cannot be. This is terror that solely seeks to annihilate lives, exclusively to intimidate people.

The world knows that terror can be opposed. The world has enough air defense systems and systems of protection against Shahed drones and missiles. And the delay in the supply of weapons for Ukraine, air defense systems for the protection of our people leads, unfortunately, to such losses, to the fact that the list of children whose lives are taken by Russia is constantly growing. Ukraine did not ask for anything more than necessary to protect life. And it is impossible to understand when lives are lost, and partners simply have internal political games or disputes that limit our defense. It is impossible to agree with this. And it will be impossible to forget – the world will remember it.

Russian terror must lose. This is fundamental. There is nothing they recognize in Moscow except force. So, there should be more of our power. And unity. Unity of the world. Unity is here, here, in Ukraine," Zelensky emphasized.

For reference:

On the night of March 2, the Russian invaders once again attacked Odesa with Shahed attack UAVs. During maneuvers among the residential quarters of Odesa, one of the drones hit a 9-story building in a residential area. Part of the entrance to 18 apartments was destroyed.

Later, it was reported that during the rescue operations in the high-rise building, a man was found alive from under the rubble.

As of 1:00 p.m., it was known about four dead, including a child. Eight injured were also reported, including one child. Five people were saved.

As of 15:35, it was known about five dead people, among whom was a child. At the same time, the State Emergency Service stated that search operations at the scene of the tragedy continue, as there may still be people, including children, under the rubble.

In Odesa, rescuers retrieved the body of a mother and a baby from under the rubble. The number of dead has increased to seven.

In addition, a Russian Shahed attack UAVs struck a residential area in Kharkiv and a private house in the village of Velykiy Burluk.

"As a result of being hit by an enemy drone, the house caught fire. The dead 76-year-old owner of the house was found under the rubble. The house was destroyed," the police emphasized.

In general, on the night of March 2, the occupying forces attacked the regions of Ukraine with three Kh-59/Kh-35 guided air missiles and 17 Shahed attack drones: the air defense forces managed to shoot down 14 UAVs.