Russian Drones Attack Odesa, Injure Six Amid Russia-Ukraine War Tensions
January 1, 2026
Russian drones attacked southern Ukrainian city Odesa overnight, damaging four apartment buildings and energy facilities. Six people were injured, including a toddler and two children, officials said Wednesday. Regional military head Oleh Kiper reported severe damage to two DTEK power stations. The company said 10 power substations were damaged in Odesa region this December alone. The attack follows Russia's increasing strikes on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure to disrupt heating and water supply in winter.
Despite peace talks gaining ground, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence in victory during his New Year's address. He praised Russian troops as "heroes fighting for your native land, truth and justice." Putin did not mention the peace negotiations.
Kiper condemned the strike as "enemy terror tactics targeting civilian infrastructure." Meanwhile, Russia claimed Ukraine tried to attack Putin's home with 91 drones recently, a claim Ukraine denies as false aimed at harming peace talks. Russian Major General Alexander Romanenkov showed drone maps from Ukraine's Sumy and Chernihiv regions but these claims couldn't be independently verified. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the allegations "a deliberate distraction."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Romania and Croatia joined a NATO weapons fund buying U.S. arms, raising total funds to $4.3 billion since August, with $1.5 billion added in December.
Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 127 drones overnight; 101 were shot down. Russia reported shooting down 86 Ukrainian drones, including over Crimea. A Ukrainian strike caused a fire at a Russian oil refinery, quickly extinguished.
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Tags:
Russia
Ukraine
Odesa Attack
Drones
Putin
Peace talks
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