• Russia conducted extensive drone attacks on Ukraine, targeting Kyiv and Odesa.
• At least one person was confirmed dead in the Odesa strike, with reports of multiple injuries.
• The strikes follow Moscow's largest drone assault in the conflict, claiming to retaliate against Ukraine's recent incursions.

In a significant escalation of military actions, Russia launched a series of drone strikes overnight, affecting both Kyiv and Odesa, with intense bombardments reported in various districts. Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that medics were deployed across several areas, including the historic Podil neighbourhood, as explosions rocked the city, indicating an organized attack on civilian infrastructure. "Enemy drones are simultaneously attacking several districts of the city," said Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, reinforcing the severity of the situation, according to channelnewsasia and indiatimes.

In Odesa, reports revealed that a drone strike targeted a maternity ward, resulting in the death of a 59-year-old man and injuries to at least four others. Governor Oleh Kiper confirmed that despite the attack, all patients and staff were safely evacuated from the maternity hospital. He described the attack as "massive," which caused significant damage not only to the medical facility but also to surrounding residential buildings, according to Reuters and scmp.

The drone strikes were part of intensified military activities characterized by Russia as retaliation for Ukraine’s recent attacks. Ukrainian officials indicated that air raid sirens sounded for several hours, reflecting the scale of the threats faced. With thousands of drones reportedly deployed in recent days, casualties among civilians continue to rise amidst claims from both Russia and Ukraine of targeting military sites only, according to scmp and Reuters.