Photo: open sources

Russian troops again launched a massive attack on Odesa on the night of 19 February. The drone attack resulted in several powerful explosions in the city, which were followed by reports of fires, thick smoke and extensive damage on social media. A densely populated area was hit, and power was cut off in part of the city.

According to Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov, the attack left 14 schools and 13 kindergartens without electricity and heating. A children’s clinic and one of the kindergartens also sustained significant damage. Overall, the blackout affected a large residential area with more than 500 multi-storey buildings.

Experts are assessing the extent of the damage and determining how long it will take to repair it. Trukhanov reported one victim who is being treated in hospital.

Educational institutions that have been left without electricity and heating will temporarily not accept children. Warming centres and resilience centres have been set up in the city to provide residents with the necessary assistance.