Ukraine's Air Force command said early Tuesday (April 4) that Russia launched 17 Iranian-made Shahed drones to attack the war-torn country overnight, adding that 14 of these drones were destroyed, the news agency Reuters reported.

Ukraine's Air Force command said early Tuesday (April 4) that Russia launched 17 Iranian-made Shahed drones to attack the war-torn country overnight, adding that 14 of these drones were destroyed, the news agency Reuters reported. Taking to Telegram, the command said in a statement, "In total, up to 17 launches of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) attacks were recorded, presumably from the eastern coast area of the Sea of Azov." The drones struck the port of Odessa, local authorities said, adding there was damage. Taking to Facebook, the authorities said in a statement, "The enemy has just struck Odessa and the Odessa district with attack UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)." "There is damage," the statement said. ALSO READ | Explained: Who was Vladlen Tatarsky, the Russian war blogger with Ukraine roots who was killed? Citing Yuriy Kruk, the head of the Odessa district military administration, the statement added that Ukraine's air defence forces were at work and warned of a possible second wave of attacks. The statement did not provide any further details. Since the beginning of the Russian offensive in February last year, Odessa has been bombed several times by Russian forces. On March 9, local authorities said that Russian strikes targeted the southern Odessa region. Governor Maksym Marchneko said that missiles had hit the energy infrastructure of the region as well as damaged residential buildings. Marchneko added that there were no casualties, and that power supply restrictions were in place. The latest drone strikes in Ukraine come as fierce fighting continues in and around Bakhmut. The battle for the city has been one of the bloodiest of the conflict with several casualties on both sides. Last Sunday, Russian mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said that his troops raised a Russian flag on the city-centre administrative building. However, the Ukrainian military said, fighting was still raging around the city council building, as well as in other nearby towns. Speaking to Reuters, Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for the eastern military command, said on Monday, "Bakhmut is Ukrainian and they have not captured anything and are very far from doing that." "They raised the flag over some kind of toilet. They attached it to the side of who knows what hung their rag and said they had captured the city. Well good, let them think they've taken it," Cherevatyi added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia launches 17 drones on Ukraine, 14 destroyed, says Kyiv

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Saturday said that a serious accident took place at a high-voltage substation which led to widespread power outages in and around Odesa, the southern port city of Ukraine.&nbsp;"The situation is difficult, the scale of the accident is significant, it is impossible to quickly restore power supply, in particular to critical infrastructure," wrote Shmyhal on Telegram.

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The prime minister added that the Odesa region's substation had suffered damages multiple times previously because of Russian missile strikes and that the energy minister will be soon reaching the regional capital to look into the repairs along with the CEO of the national grid operator.

Shmyhal stated that the authorities have been working to ensure that the power supply to apartment blocks and critical infrastructure is restored as soon as possible so that the homes can remain heated using electricity.

On Saturday, the temperature in Odesa, which is the main southern port city of Ukraine on the Black Sea and has a population of one million people, was at two degrees Celsius (35.6°F) and as per experts it is likely to dip below freezing temperature in the next week.

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Shmyhal said that the energy ministry of Ukraine has been ordered to scramble every possible high-power generator which is available in its nationwide inventory and send it to Odesa in a day.

He added that the foreign ministry has also been asked to request Turkey to send power ships, which are vessels that carry power plants, to the city till there is a power outage.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Saturday said that a serious accident took place at a high-voltage substation which led to widespread power outages in and around Odesa, the southern port city of Ukraine.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Saturday said that a serious accident took place at a high-voltage substation which led to widespread power outages in and around Odesa, the southern port city of Ukraine. "The situation is difficult, the scale of the accident is significant, it is impossible to quickly restore power supply, in particular to critical infrastructure," wrote Shmyhal on Telegram. ALSO READ | Russia, Ukraine swap dozens of prisoners of war The prime minister added that the Odesa region's substation had suffered damages multiple times previously because of Russian missile strikes and that the energy minister will be soon reaching the regional capital to look into the repairs along with the CEO of the national grid operator. Shmyhal stated that the authorities have been working to ensure that the power supply to apartment blocks and critical infrastructure is restored as soon as possible so that the homes can remain heated using electricity. On Saturday, the temperature in Odesa, which is the main southern port city of Ukraine on the Black Sea and has a population of one million people, was at two degrees Celsius (35.6°F) and as per experts it is likely to dip below freezing temperature in the next week. WATCH | Russia Ukraine War: Zelensky meeting with EU leaders underway; Russia advances in East Ukraine Shmyhal said that the energy ministry of Ukraine has been ordered to scramble every possible high-power generator which is available in its nationwide inventory and send it to Odesa in a day. He added that the foreign ministry has also been asked to request Turkey to send power ships, which are vessels that carry power plants, to the city till there is a power outage. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

New blow to power grid in Ukraine after major accident in Odesa, says PM

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Ukrainian authorities claimed that fresh Russian strikes left the southern city of Odesa without power on Saturday (December 10). The authorities mentioned that Moscow launched "kamikaze drones" during the night-time attack. Only critical infrastructure such as hospitals and maternity wards had access to electricity as most parts of Ukraine’s southern port city of Odesa were without power. The local officials said Russia used drones to hit energy facilities and parts of the surrounding region were also affected. Odesa mayor, Gennadiy Trukhanov, wrote on Facebook: "Due to the scale of the damage, all users in Odesa except critical infrastructure have been disconnected from electricity." Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the presidential administration, said on Telegram that the city was without electricity at the time of post on the messaging app. He noted that the situation remains difficult, but is under control. Maksym Marchenko, who is the governor of the region of Odesa, claimed that Russia used "kamikaze drones" to attack the post city overnight. He said, "As a result of the strike, there is no electricity in almost all districts and communities of our region." Marchenko also stated that Ukrainian air defence units shot down two drones. WATCH | What is Russia's 'Nuclear Doctrine'? How is Russia's strategy different than US? × In the winter season, problems for Ukrainians are growing with each day passing as Russia's target on energy infrastructure is leaving millions without power. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that the military situation in parts of eastern Ukraine was "very difficult". He further mentioned that Ukrainian forces continued to resist Russian attacks. "The frontline situation remains very difficult in the key areas of Donbas — Bakhmut, Soledar, Mariinka, Kreminna," Zelensky said in his daily video address. He added, "There is no living place left on the ground in these areas that is undamaged by shells and fire. The occupiers have actually destroyed Bakhmut — another city of Donbas, which the Russian army turned into scorched ruins." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian attacks leave Ukraine’s Odesa without power; frontline situation in east is ‘very difficult’

The cultural arm of the United Nations, UNESCO, declared on Tuesday that it approved Ukraine's application to add the port city of Odesa to the World Heritage List.&nbsp;

Following a meeting between Oleksandr Tkachenko, the minister of culture for Ukraine, and Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of UNESCO, at the organization's Paris headquarters, UNESCO announced that it had organised experts to assist Ukraine so that the nomination could be urgently reviewed by World Heritage Committee member states.&nbsp;

In addition to Kyiv and Lviv, which are also in danger, UNESCO said it now intends to list Odesa on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

UNESCO said that the Black Sea port of Odesa, which is only a few dozen kilometres from the frontlines, has already been hit by artillery fire. The Odesa Museum of Fine Arts, which opened its doors in 1899, had a portion of its enormous glass roof and windows destroyed last month.&nbsp;

Since the start of the war, UNESCO has paid for renovations to both the museum and the Odesa Museum of Modern Art. They will also pay for additional staff members whose job it is to protect the artefacts. Along with providing safety gear, it will assist in digitising artwork.&nbsp;

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According to UNESCO, it has already raised close to $7 million for Ukraine and will contribute further money to repair war-related damage to museums as well as additional protective gear.

It will also provide assistance for the "digitisation of at least 1,000 works of art in Odessa as well as the documentary collection of the Odessa State Archives," it said.

The beetroot soup known as borshch was added to Ukraine's list of intangible cultural treasures in July, a decision that Moscow criticised as "xenophobic."

(with inputs from agencies)

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The cultural arm of the United Nations, UNESCO, declared on Tuesday that it approved Ukraine's application to add the port city of Odesa to the World Heritage List.

The cultural arm of the United Nations, UNESCO, declared on Tuesday that it approved Ukraine's application to add the port city of Odesa to the World Heritage List. Following a meeting between Oleksandr Tkachenko, the minister of culture for Ukraine, and Audrey Azoulay, the director-general of UNESCO, at the organization's Paris headquarters, UNESCO announced that it had organised experts to assist Ukraine so that the nomination could be urgently reviewed by World Heritage Committee member states. In addition to Kyiv and Lviv, which are also in danger, UNESCO said it now intends to list Odesa on the List of World Heritage in Danger. UNESCO said that the Black Sea port of Odesa, which is only a few dozen kilometres from the frontlines, has already been hit by artillery fire. The Odesa Museum of Fine Arts, which opened its doors in 1899, had a portion of its enormous glass roof and windows destroyed last month. Since the start of the war, UNESCO has paid for renovations to both the museum and the Odesa Museum of Modern Art. They will also pay for additional staff members whose job it is to protect the artefacts. Along with providing safety gear, it will assist in digitising artwork. Also Read: Zelensky meets IAEA chief in Kyiv ahead of agency's visit to Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant According to UNESCO, it has already raised close to $7 million for Ukraine and will contribute further money to repair war-related damage to museums as well as additional protective gear. It will also provide assistance for the "digitisation of at least 1,000 works of art in Odessa as well as the documentary collection of the Odessa State Archives," it said. The beetroot soup known as borshch was added to Ukraine's list of intangible cultural treasures in July, a decision that Moscow criticised as "xenophobic." (with inputs from agencies)

UNESCO supports Ukraine's bid to put threatened port of Odesa on World Heritage list

Gone are the times when tourists lay down on the Black Sea beaches of the Ukrainian resort town of Odesa, the white sands are now covered in mines because of the war with Russia and police officers patrol the boardwalks.

Ukraine's military planted mines along the coast in case of a Russian amphibious assault after Moscow's February&nbsp;24 invasion, cordoning off beach entrances with red and white tape to ensure civilians don't get hurt.

Already reeling from the war, the local economy of the port city of Odesa in southwestern Ukraine will take a huge hit to its tourism industry this year. Long-time residents cannot imagine life in Odesa without the sand and sea.

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"We can't live without the sea. If not for the sea, there would probably be no Odesa," said 82-year-old resident Viktor Holchenko.&nbsp;

In early May, Russian forces pounded the port with missiles, leaving buildings in Odesa in ruin. 
Signs posted by Ukraine's military warn residents to stay away from the beaches where mines have been buried. From a seaside restaurant, the view is now of a "Danger! mines" sign.

Residents laid out beach towels along boardwalks instead of on beaches to tan in their bathing suits. 
"They (the military) said not to go there (to the seaside)," said 18-year-old resident Kyrylo Zinchenko. "Why would you go there? This is the summer we will have."

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Once a driver of the local economy, tourism in Odesa has dried up.

"We realize that the tourism business and recreational component is an important element ... but we also realize that if we don't hold the defence of our region, there will be no budget to fill," said Nataliia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman of the southern military command.&nbsp;

The local economy will take a broad hit, said tourism office owner Oleksandr Babich. "It is hotels, restaurants, souvenirs, all kinds of beach services. It is things related to the cultural sector ... I don't know how the city economy will do without them."

[with inputs from agencies]

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Gone are the times when tourists lay down on the Black Sea beaches of the Ukrainian resort town of Odesa, the white sands are now covered in mines because of the war with Russia and police officers patrol the boardwalks.

Gone are the times when tourists lay down on the Black Sea beaches of the Ukrainian resort town of Odesa, the white sands are now covered in mines because of the war with Russia and police officers patrol the boardwalks. Ukraine's military planted mines along the coast in case of a Russian amphibious assault after Moscow's February 24 invasion, cordoning off beach entrances with red and white tape to ensure civilians don't get hurt. Already reeling from the war, the local economy of the port city of Odesa in southwestern Ukraine will take a huge hit to its tourism industry this year. Long-time residents cannot imagine life in Odesa without the sand and sea. Also Read: Russia-Ukraine tensions: What is really happening? Here's what you should know "We can't live without the sea. If not for the sea, there would probably be no Odesa," said 82-year-old resident Viktor Holchenko. In early May, Russian forces pounded the port with missiles, leaving buildings in Odesa in ruin. Signs posted by Ukraine's military warn residents to stay away from the beaches where mines have been buried. From a seaside restaurant, the view is now of a "Danger! mines" sign. Residents laid out beach towels along boardwalks instead of on beaches to tan in their bathing suits. "They (the military) said not to go there (to the seaside)," said 18-year-old resident Kyrylo Zinchenko. "Why would you go there? This is the summer we will have." Also Read: Battle analysis: Russian tank armada vs Ukraine - who will win? Once a driver of the local economy, tourism in Odesa has dried up. "We realize that the tourism business and recreational component is an important element ... but we also realize that if we don't hold the defence of our region, there will be no budget to fill," said Nataliia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman of the southern military command. The local economy will take a broad hit, said tourism office owner Oleksandr Babich. "It is hotels, restaurants, souvenirs, all kinds of beach services. It is things related to the cultural sector ... I don't know how the city economy will do without them." [with inputs from agencies] WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Odesa's popular white sand beaches now off-limits due to planted mines

Russian missile strike on Ukraine's port city of Odesa killed at least five people and injured 18 on Saturday (April 23), said Andriy Yermak, Ukraine president's chief of staff. He made an online post.

Two missiles struck a military facility and two residential buildings in Odesa, said Ukraine's southern air command.

Smoke billowed from one of the residential buildings struck as emergency services could be seen rushing to the scene. One woman who appeared to have some facial injuries was speaking to local media.

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Reuters said that the death toll has not been independently verified.

The last big strike on or near Odesa was in early April.

"The only aim of Russian missile strikes on Odesa is terror," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, the Russian defence ministry said on Saturday that the missile strike was carried out on a depot containing weapons delivered by the US and European countries.

"Russian armed forces today disabled with high-precision and long-range missiles a logistics terminal at the military airfield near Odessa where a large batch of foreign weapons delivered by the United States and European countries were stored," it said in a statement.

On Saturday, Russia also resumed attack on Mariupol, another of Russia's port city in the South. Last resistance pocket of Ukrainian soldiers is in the Azovstal steel plant in the city. About 1000 Ukrainian citizens are also holed-up inside the factory. Russia has already declared that Mariupol is under its control.

On Friday, Russian defence ministry said that remaining Ukrainian fighters had been&nbsp;"securely blockaded" at the steel plant

Control of Mariupol is important to Russia to link Donbas region to Russia-controlled Crimea.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian missile strike on Ukraine's port city of Odesa killed at least five people and injured 18 on Saturday (April 23), said Andriy Yermak, Ukraine president's chief of staff.

Russian missile strike on Ukraine's port city of Odesa killed at least five people and injured 18 on Saturday (April 23), said Andriy Yermak, Ukraine president's chief of staff. He made an online post. Two missiles struck a military facility and two residential buildings in Odesa, said Ukraine's southern air command. Smoke billowed from one of the residential buildings struck as emergency services could be seen rushing to the scene. One woman who appeared to have some facial injuries was speaking to local media. Also Read | Russia resumes attack on Mariupol, Ukraine soldiers holed up in steel plant Reuters said that the death toll has not been independently verified. The last big strike on or near Odesa was in early April. "The only aim of Russian missile strikes on Odesa is terror," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter. Meanwhile, the Russian defence ministry said on Saturday that the missile strike was carried out on a depot containing weapons delivered by the US and European countries. "Russian armed forces today disabled with high-precision and long-range missiles a logistics terminal at the military airfield near Odessa where a large batch of foreign weapons delivered by the United States and European countries were stored," it said in a statement. On Saturday, Russia also resumed attack on Mariupol, another of Russia's port city in the South. Last resistance pocket of Ukrainian soldiers is in the Azovstal steel plant in the city. About 1000 Ukrainian citizens are also holed-up inside the factory. Russia has already declared that Mariupol is under its control. On Friday, Russian defence ministry said that remaining Ukrainian fighters had been "securely blockaded" at the steel plant Control of Mariupol is important to Russia to link Donbas region to Russia-controlled Crimea. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian missile strike kills five people in Ukraine's Odesa, says official

The horrors of war have engulfed Ukraine and there seems to be no respite for the people staying in the country amidst the Russian army invasion.

However, there was some enjoyment for a number of children who fled from the heavily attacked city of Kherson to the port city of Odesa.<o:p></o:p>

The children enjoyed a show featuring dolphins at the Nemo Hotel in Odesa on Saturday.<o:p></o:p>

"I liked everything very much. We have been dreaming about getting to a dolphin show for a long time. Such great emotions," said Irina Borisevich, 35, who fled Kherson with her two young children aged five and three according to a report on Reuters.

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<o:p></o:p>

"It is a pity that this is happening under such circumstances," she added.<o:p></o:p>

The people who fled from Kherson were provided free accommodation at the Odesa hotel.<o:p></o:p>

"The dolphins are very positive, they don’t care about war," said the service manager at the hotel, Vyacheslav Lutushko as quoted by the report.<o:p></o:p>

The refugees will stay for a few days in Odesa and will start their journey once more to find refuge outside the country. There were a few attacks from Russia on Odesa as well and the facility housing the dolphins is just five Kilometers away from an oil refinery which came under heavy bombing.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-marks-10-years-since-kim-jong-uns-election-as-top-party-leader-470244" hreflang="en">North Korea marks 10 years since Kim Jong Un's election as top party leader</a>

The Reuters report stated that Borisevich travelled for nearly 12 hours in order to reach Odesa from Kherson after it was occupied by the Russian forces on March 3. The journey normally takes three hours but the roadblocks and checkpoints by the Russian forces made it very difficult for them.<o:p></o:p>

"It was scary to drive through Russian checkpoints because they were looking at documents, checking phones, things. They could take away anything they wanted from someone," she said.<o:p></o:p>

The horrors of war have engulfed Ukraine and there seems to be no respite for the people staying in the country amidst the Russian army invasion. However, there was some enjoyment for a number of children who fled from the heavily attacked city of Kherson to the port city of Odesa.

The horrors of war have engulfed Ukraine and there seems to be no respite for the people staying in the country amidst the Russian army invasion. However, there was some enjoyment for a number of children who fled from the heavily attacked city of Kherson to the port city of Odesa. The children enjoyed a show featuring dolphins at the Nemo Hotel in Odesa on Saturday. "I liked everything very much. We have been dreaming about getting to a dolphin show for a long time. Such great emotions," said Irina Borisevich, 35, who fled Kherson with her two young children aged five and three according to a report on Reuters. Also read | Russia claims it destroyed S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems given to Ukraine by EU nation "It is a pity that this is happening under such circumstances," she added. The people who fled from Kherson were provided free accommodation at the Odesa hotel. "The dolphins are very positive, they don’t care about war," said the service manager at the hotel, Vyacheslav Lutushko as quoted by the report. The refugees will stay for a few days in Odesa and will start their journey once more to find refuge outside the country. There were a few attacks from Russia on Odesa as well and the facility housing the dolphins is just five Kilometers away from an oil refinery which came under heavy bombing. Also read | North Korea marks 10 years since Kim Jong Un's election as top party leader The Reuters report stated that Borisevich travelled for nearly 12 hours in order to reach Odesa from Kherson after it was occupied by the Russian forces on March 3. The journey normally takes three hours but the roadblocks and checkpoints by the Russian forces made it very difficult for them. "It was scary to drive through Russian checkpoints because they were looking at documents, checking phones, things. They could take away anything they wanted from someone," she said.

Dolphins bring joy to Ukrainian children fleeing war in Kherson

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