At least 21 dead as Russian missiles hit Odesa: Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine

At least 21 people were killed in two Russian missile strikes in Ukraine’s Odesa region, a Ukrainian official said on Friday.

A missile hit a nine-story residential building in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district at about 1 a.m. (2200GMT Thursday), killing 16 people, Col. Igor Budalenko, deputy head of the Odesa branch of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, told Anadolu Agency.

The second missile struck three and four-story buildings at a recreation center nearby, where five people, including a child, were killed, Budalenko added.

At least 38 people were also injured in the attacks and they were moved to nearby hospitals, he said, adding that two injured children are being treated at a children's hospital in Odesa.

A search and rescue operation is underway at both sites.