The death toll from a Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine, has tragically risen to 10, with the discovery of the bodies of a mother and her third child in the rubble of an apartment block. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Western allies to bolster Ukraine's air defenses following the deadly attack.
Rescue workers in Odesa recovered the remains of a woman and an infant, who were found in a firm embrace, indicating the mother's attempt to shield her 8-month-old child from harm. The devastating strike, carried out by eight Russian drones, also claimed the lives of two young children, aged 4 months and almost 3 years old.
Zelenskyy expressed his condolences and emphasized the urgent need for air defense systems to protect Ukrainian lives. He highlighted the delays in receiving necessary weapons and defense equipment, attributing such losses to the lack of adequate protection.
Meanwhile, in Russian-occupied Crimea, reports emerged of loud explosions near an oil depot, leading to the closure of a highway for over eight hours. Videos captured by local residents showed the night sky illuminated by explosions, with an underground group claiming responsibility for destroying a pipeline.
China's special envoy on Ukraine engaged in talks with Russian diplomats in Moscow, underscoring the importance of negotiations as the key to ending the conflict in Ukraine. The envoy's visit comes amid efforts to involve Beijing in peace talks and seek a political resolution to the crisis.
