A tragic incident in the Ukrainian city of Odesa has claimed the lives of ten individuals, including two infants, following a Russian drone attack on an apartment block. This latest assault adds to the toll of civilian casualties inflicted by Russia’s relentless bombing campaign.
Oleh Kiper, the head of Odesa regional military administration, announced on Sunday that the death toll had risen to ten after rescuers recovered the body of a third child from the debris.
“The body of another baby has just been found next to the woman’s body. The child is believed to be less than a year old,” stated Kiper via Telegram.
Authorities confirmed that among the victims were a mother and her four-month-old child, whose bodies were discovered amidst the rubble on Saturday.
Identified as Anna, the mother was in her bedroom on the second floor of the apartment building when the strike occurred.
Described as a florist and decorator, Anna tragically lost her life, leaving behind her husband and surviving daughter.
Tragically, a toddler named Mark, set to celebrate his third birthday on Sunday, also fell victim to the attack.
The assault left the front facade of the apartment block severely damaged, reflecting the indiscriminate nature of the strike.
Andriy Kostin, Prosecutor General of Ukraine, condemned the attack, highlighting that there were no military facilities nearby, indicating a deliberate targeting of civilians.
As a mark of respect, Sunday was declared a day of mourning in Odesa by the city’s administration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgent need to bolster the country’s air defense capabilities in the wake of the tragedy.
“One of the enemy drones hit a residential building in Odesa. 18 apartments have been destroyed,” Zelensky remarked, underscoring the importance of enhancing air defense systems to mitigate such atrocities.
With Ukraine’s plea for increased military aid from western allies, Zelensky warned of catastrophic consequences if the US fails to approve President Joe Biden’s $60 billion aid request for Kyiv.
The conflict, now entering its third year, has already claimed the lives of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, with the potential for further devastation looming large.
Despite these urgent pleas, Republican leadership in the House has been hesitant to hold a vote on providing additional funding.
In response, the Pentagon is considering tapping into its remaining funding sources to support Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
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