Russia launched overnight attacks on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa and the eastern city of Sumy, resulting in civilian casualties, according to local officials. In Odesa, Governor Oleh Kiper reported that a "massive" drone and missile strike, marking the fifth consecutive day of Russian attacks on the region, killed six people. The attack also damaged a residential building, a non-residential building, and a gas pipeline. Kiper accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians.
In Sumy, an "guided aerial bomb" attack killed three people and injured 17, stated acting mayor Artom Kobzar. Russian authorities confirmed strikes on Odesa, asserting they targeted port infrastructure used for unloading petroleum products. Russia also claimed to have hit sites involved in military hardware manufacturing and cargo transport.
Concurrently, Ukraine's military reported that its drones struck 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea, including 17 oil tankers. These Ukrainian actions follow intensive attacks on Russian ships in the Sea of Azov. The Ukrainian strikes have prompted Russia, a leading grain exporter, to restrict shipping in the Sea of Azov, a route that handles approximately a quarter of its grain exports, according to Reuters.
Russia's recent attacks have concentrated on Ukraine's deep-water Black Sea ports in the Odesa region, which are critical for the country's wartime economy, handling a significant portion of its grain and other cargo.
In domestic Ukrainian politics, President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko after less than a year in the role. Ukraine's parliament passed a motion to accept Svyrydenko's resignation, though some lawmakers questioned the explanation for the change. Serhiy Koretskyi, head of the state oil and gas firm Naftogaz, is considered a potential successor, with a parliamentary vote expected soon. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv to discuss cooperation between European and Ukrainian defense industries.