In a devastating turn of events, a Russian missile struck an educational institution in the picturesque Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa on April 29, resulting in the loss of two lives and leaving at least 17 others wounded, officials confirmed.
Regional governor Oleh Kiper, communicating through the Telegram messaging app, revealed that among the injured, at least two individuals are in critical condition, with one being a 12-year-old boy. Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov reported an even higher toll, stating that 20 individuals were injured in the attack.
Heart-wrenching images circulating online depict a once-stately building near the seafront engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. While unverified, video footage captured individuals receiving urgent medical attention on the streets amidst pools of blood.
According to reports from public broadcaster Suspilne, the targeted structure, identified as a legal academy, suffered severe damage to its roof, nearly obliterated in the aftermath of the missile strike. Among the casualties was the academy’s president, Serhiy Kivalov, a distinguished former member of parliament.
The Ukrainian Air Force had previously issued a warning regarding an escalated ballistic missile threat, indicating the imminent danger before the tragic incident unfolded, underscoring the ongoing peril faced by civilians amidst the escalating conflict.