At least eight people were killed and 27 others injured after a Russian missile strike hit port infrastructure in Odesa, southern Ukraine, late Friday night. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed the casualties on Saturday, stating that several of the injured were travelling on a bus that was caught near the epicentre of the attack. The strike caused extensive damage to the port area, with trucks parked at the facility catching fire and multiple vehicles damaged by the blast and debris.

Regional authorities said the port was targeted with ballistic missiles, marking another escalation in attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper said emergency crews worked overnight to extinguish fires and evacuate the wounded. Visuals from the site showed heavy destruction to port facilities, reinforcing concerns over the continued targeting of key transport and logistics hubs vital for Ukraine’s economy and grain exports. The condition of several injured victims was reported to be serious, with hospitals placed on high alert following the strike.

Meanwhile, Ukraine said it carried out retaliatory strikes against Russian targets. According to a statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainian forces used drones to hit a Russian warship and other military-related facilities elsewhere. While details of the counterattacks were limited, officials said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to weaken Russian military capabilities amid the continuing conflict with Russia. The latest developments underscore the intensifying hostilities as both sides continue to exchange strikes across land and sea.