site.bta22 Injured in Massive Russian Overnight Attack on Odesa

Twenty-two people have been injured in the Ukrainian city of Odesa following a massive Russian attack overnight between January 26 and 27, local authorities reported. Fourteen of the injured sustained minor injuries.

Serhiy Lysak, head of the Odesa City Military Administration, said on Telegram that there had been serious destruction of civilian infrastructure. He added that several apartment buildings and private houses had been damaged and that large fires had broken out at the impact sites.

A church in the central part of the city was also damaged, as well as a kindergarten.

Officers of the State Emergency Service rescued people from blocked premises, including a child, Lysak specified.

All emergency services and operational headquarters are working at the scene. Authorities are assessing the damage.

Later on Tuesday, the Mayor's office said that Wednesday will be a day of mourning in Odesa for those who died as a result of the massive attack, which killed three and injured 25.

Bulgarians in Odesa Region number more than 150,000 and are the third largest population group in Ukraine, according to the latest official census. Between 50,000 and 60,000 Bulgarians live in the city of Odesa itself. The largest compact Bulgarian population is concentrated in the Bolhrad, Izmail and Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi districts.