• Russian drone attack on Odesa kills one and injures six, including a child.
• The assault marks a significant escalation in Russia's bombing campaign against Ukraine.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emphasizes the need for international support and defense measures.

In the early hours of Saturday, Russian forces unleashed a massive drone strike on the Ukrainian city of Odesa, resulting in the death of one resident and injuring six others, including a child. The attack involved over 300 drones and 30 cruise missiles, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, highlighting a substantial escalation in Russia's military operations, which has been ongoing for more than three years. Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov confirmed the assault included over 20 drones and a missile targeting a residential high-rise, where a fire occurred and five individuals had to be rescued, according to Reuters and CBS News.

The widespread impact of the drone strikes was further acknowledged by Zelenskyy, who noted that critical infrastructure in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region was damaged, leaving many without electricity. The Ukrainian president has urged international partners to expedite support in bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities through joint weapons and drone production, as well as enhancing air defense systems. This plea comes against the backdrop of Russia's intensified attacks, which analysts suggest are likely to increase, echoing reports from Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

The current increase in drone assaults has led to speculation about the scale of the aerial attacks, which have now surpassed those recorded in entire months during the previous year. For instance, on July 8, Russia deployed an unprecedented 700 drones in a single operation, showing a notable change in tactics. Additionally, Russia's Defense Ministry reported intercepting 71 Ukrainian drones overnight, underscoring the ongoing nature of this conflict, as discussed in reports by CBS News and Los Angeles Times.