A Russian missile attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa on Monday morning injured three people and caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, according to regional governor Oleh Kiper.
The strike hit a storage facility where around 50 people were working, military and regional authorities reported. Photos released by the interior ministry showed a massive cloud of smoke rising from the site as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
The Ukrainian air force successfully intercepted one of the two cruise missiles launched by Russia. Despite this, Kiper reported on national television that the attack caused damage to approximately 5,000 square meters of the facility, with the fire spreading over 3,000 square meters.
Among the injured were a 19-year-old boy and two middle-aged men, all of whom were taken to the hospital, Kiper stated on the Telegram messaging app.
Prior to the explosions, the air force had warned Odesa's residents of the incoming missile threat. This coastal city has been a frequent target during the 28-month-long Russian invasion, with many attacks focusing on its port facilities. Russia, however, denies targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure.
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