On the night of April 22, 2025, Odessa experienced a massive attack by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which resulted in a major fire in one of the city’s districts. According to local authorities, the strikes hit several objects, which resulted in damage to infrastructure. The Ukrainian Air Force recorded the movement of a group of drones from the Black Sea, which led to the announcement of an air raid alarm. The attack, one of the most intense in recent weeks, highlights the ongoing escalation of the conflict in the region.

According to reports published on Telegram channels, at around 22:00 p.m. the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) warned of drones approaching Odessa. Soon, explosions began in the city, and a large fire broke out at the site of one of the landings, covering a large area. Eyewitnesses reported thick smoke and damage to buildings. Odessa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov confirmed that rescue services quickly arrived at the scene to eliminate the consequences and evacuate the victims. According to preliminary data, there are wounded, but the exact number of victims has not yet been specified.

The attack was part of a series of strikes on Odessa, which has been repeatedly shelled since the conflict began in 2022. In this case, according to the Ukrainian military, some of the drones were shot down by air defense systems, but several reached their targets, causing significant damage. A fire that broke out at the site of one of the landings required the involvement of significant rescue forces to prevent it from spreading to neighboring buildings.

The context of the attacks on Odessa is related to its strategic importance as a key port city.