Russian troops on January 31 attacked the historical center of the Ukrainian Black Sea port city of Odesa, damaging buildings and injuring two people, local officials said.
Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said two large explosions were heard in the early evening, and the historical city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was hit.
An air raid alert was announced in the Odesa region at about 7:20 p.m. local time. The Ukrainian Air Force warned of the threat of the use of ballistic weapons from the south.
The two injured people were women, who have been hospitalized in moderate condition, Kiper said. Kiper also posted photos on social media showing rescuers wheeling a woman on a gurney outside the Hotel Bristol, a luxury hotel built at the end of the 19th century, and debris on the street near the opulent opera house built in the same era.
The photos also show damage to the building's ornate facade and interior, including a grand staircase.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack underscored the importance of improving Ukraine’s air defenses.
"Strikes directly on the city, on ordinary civilian buildings," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. "Again and again, air defense is the top priority. We are working with all our partners to provide more protection for our country."
Zelenskyy said a meeting of Ukraine's command had focused on improving weapons systems and speeding up deliveries.
"We need faster deliveries and greater numbers of systems and weapons which will enable us to save the lives of more of our soldiers, our people," he said.
"More orders for drones. More investments for the development of robotic systems. And more orders for basic weapons."
Zelenskyy called the attack "a completely deliberate strike by Russian terrorists" in a post on X. He added that among those caught in the epicenter of the attack were Norwegian diplomatic representatives.
Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov said there was a lot of damage and destruction in the UNESCO-protected area, including a building that is under enhanced protection.
Odesa has been regularly targeted by strikes, including many on its port area.
The Russian leadership denies that the Russian army has launched targeted strikes on the civilian infrastructure in Ukrainian cities and villages. The Ukrainian authorities and international organizations have gathered evidence to the contrary.