Russians kill seven people and injur 32 civilians in their Odesa ballistic missile strike, likely with cluster munitions (updated)
Russians launched a ballistic missile strike on the city of Odesa, killing seven people and injuring 32 Ukrainians, on the evening of April 29, 2024.
According to Oleh Kiper, Head of the Odesa Oblast Military Administration, Russian forces used a ballistic missile, likely carrying a cluster munition.
“The Russians fired a ballistic missile with a cluster munition on one of the most popular locations among Odesa residents and visitors, where people were out walking with their children or dogs, playing sports… These munitions are used against infantry and pose a threat primarily to people, not equipment or buildings,” he wrote.
The palace of the national university “Odesa Law Academy,” known as the “Harry Potter Castle”, was also hit.
Kiper reported that as of 22:00, four people and a dog had been reported killed. Another man died of a stroke brought on by the attack. A total of 32 people were injured, including 25 in hospital, two children and a pregnant woman. A 4-year-old girl is in a highly critical condition. Six adults are also in intensive care.
According to a statement from the International Humanitarian University, Boris Vasilyev, a vice-rector for academic innovation and economic activity, was killed in the attack.
Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov reported on Telegram about the sixth death on May 1, 2024. He added that doctors fought for the man’s life until the very end. The mayor expressed his condolences to the family. Later, on May 8, the death toll in Odesa rose as City Hall announced another victim.
By way of background, on the night of 26-27 April, Russian Armed Forces fired 34 missiles, targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities, both electricity and gas transit facilities, injuring civilians.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his video address, said Ukraine needs at least seven Patriot air defense systems. He urged the country’s allies not waste time signal their determination to stand with Ukraine against Russia.
Kyiv says it needs another seven Patriot missile batteries or similar systems to protect critical civilian infrastructure in vulnerable cities, including Chernihiv and power facilities in Kharkiv and close to KyivKyiv says it needs another seven Patriot missile batteries, or similar systems, to protect critical civilian infrastructures in vulnerable cities, including Chernihiv and power facilities in Kharkiv and close to Kyiv[/caption]
“Of course, I’m grateful to all of our partners who have helped us with air defence: each air defense system and each air defense missile is literally saving lives. It’s important that everything works out as quickly as possible: every new agreement with our partners to strengthen our air defense, every initiative from Ukraine’s friends to help us, particularly with finding and supplying Patriot [anti-aircraft missile systems],” – he said.
Due to combined Russian Armed Forces attacks, the coalition of human rights organizations “Ukraine. 5 a.m.” appealed to partner countries to intensify their actions for providing air defense systems that should protect civilians and objects under the protection of international humanitarian law.
The Russian Federation uses temporarily occupied Crimea as a military foothold for its military aggression from the South of Ukraine, shelling Ukrainian cities from the peninsula. Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly stated the importance of de-occupying the Crimean Peninsula.
