Russian drone strikes hit Odesa and Zaporizhzhia, injuring four

OPA WIRE, Oct 26 (OPA) — Russian forces launched a coordinated overnight strike involving 140 Shahed-type drones and decoys, targeting infrastructure in Odesa and Zaporizhzhia. In Odesa, emergency responders were forced to take cover after Russian forces struck an industrial facility multiple times while crews were actively battling a blaze. While no casualties were reported in Odesa, the attack damaged critical rescue equipment and several private garages.

In Zaporizhzhia, the assault caused significant damage to residential areas, including a hotel, private homes, and two buses. Mykhailo Semikin, the acting head of the regional military administration, confirmed four injuries: two women, aged 22 and 30, and two men, aged 40 and 61. Emergency teams spent the morning hours searching for trapped residents and extinguishing fires sparked by the debris.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that the Russian barrage included 70 jet-powered drones alongside standard Shahed models. Air defense systems successfully intercepted or suppressed 112 drones, including 56 of the jet-powered variants, as well as three Kh-59/69 guided missiles. The high volume of decoys used in the operation suggests an evolving tactical approach to saturating Ukrainian air defenses.

Emergency crews remained on-site throughout Monday morning to assess structural integrity and restore essential services to affected neighborhoods. The strikes follow a pattern of intensified aerial campaigns against Ukrainian urban centers as the conflict continues into 2026. Authorities are currently conducting damage assessments to determine the full extent of the destruction caused by the overnight bombardment.