At least five dead as Ukrainian cities hit by heavy Russian shelling

Several Ukrainian cities faced intense Russian missile and drone attacks overnight and into Saturday, resulting in multiple casualties and widespread damage to residential areas, infrastructure, and cultural landmarks.

In the eastern Poltava region, a Russian airstrike struck a residential building early on Saturday morning, killing at least four people and injuring 10 others, including a child. The attack destroyed part of the building, sparking a fire and damaging nearby homes and vehicles.

Rescuers saved 21 people from the rubble, and a temporary reception centre for victims was set up at a local school.

The southern city of Odesa also came under fire, with Russian missiles hitting its historic centre on Friday evening. The attack damaged the Odesa Philharmonic, several museums, and the Bristol Hotel, a building dating back to 1899.

Seven people were injured, and a crater was left near the entrance of the hotel. Norwegian diplomatic representatives were reportedly in the building at the time of the strike.

“The building is damaged from the first to the fourth floors. Firefighters rescued one woman trapped on the second floor. The roof is currently on fire over an area of approximately 20 square metres,” Maryna Averina, a spokesperson for the State Emergency Service of Odesa Oblast, said at the scene.

Employees at nearby facilities recounted the terrifying moments of the attack. “I was closing the door when something hit very hard, and there was a strong blast wave," Polina, an employee of a damaged salon, said. "Thankfully, no one was hurt, but some people started crying. We brought everyone into the back room, and that saved us.”

Olha, another employee, added, “The first explosion happened during the air raid alert.