Kathmandu— Russian forces conducted widespread attacks across Ukraine overnight, resulting in civilian casualties in Kharkiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, and other regions. The assaults included missile and drone strikes targeting critical infrastructure, residential areas, and the strategically important port city of Odesa, which Ukraine says is a deliberate attempt to disrupt global food security. At least eight people were injured in Odesa, while attacks elsewhere left several dead and dozens wounded.

Kharkiv Apartment Building Hit

A Russian strike on a high-rise building in Kharkiv’s Saltivskyi district killed two men, aged 50 and 66, according to Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov. At least 21 people were also wounded in the attack, which left a large hole across four storeys of the building and caused thick smoke to billow out. Photos shared by Syniehubov documented the extent of the damage.

Southern Regions Under Fire

The Kherson region also experienced casualties as Russian artillery fire killed a 61-year-old woman in the Berislavsky district on Sunday, according to the regional prosecutor’s office. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described an attack near a shopping mall in Pavlohrad as “absolutely wicked,” leaving nine people injured, including four children. Attacks were also reported across several other regions, including Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhia and Donetsk.

Odesa Port Targeted

Russia launched a barrage of ballistic, antiship, and anti-radar missiles, along with over 200 Shahed drones, targeting Odesa overnight. Ukraine’s air force reported that missile and drone attacks were recorded at 22 locations, with remnants of downed missiles found at six sites. Russia's TASS news agency claimed its forces hit fuel, lubricants, and military equipment depots in the port city. Zelenskyy stated that these attacks specifically targeted Odesa’s energy sector and are a systematic effort to undermine global food security, noting that 28 people were killed in the port area during the first three weeks of July alone.

Cross-Border Claims

While Ukraine reported attacks within its borders, Russia claimed it was also targeted. The TASS news agency reported that Ukrainian drone attacks killed three civilians overnight in Belgorod, a Russian city bordering Ukraine. Additionally, Reuters reported that Russia struck two oil refineries in the Sumy region of northeastern Ukraine.

Repair work is underway to restore power in Odesa following the attacks, and authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage across all affected regions.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.