Odesa Families Face Relentless Russian Attacks Amid Escalating Tensions

Sat Jan 17 2026 21:42:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As Russian assaults surge on Odesa, families are under constant threat, grappling with the experience of war and its demands on their lives.

In the aftermath of recent drone strikes, Odesa's residents, including families like Mariia, Serhii, and their daughter Eva, confront daily fears and challenges. Since Russia's invasion began nearly four years ago, the strategic port city has faced intensifying attacks aimed at crippling its economy. The consequences of these assaults manifest not only through physical destruction but also compel families to consider leaving their homes once again.

From Mariia's 16th-floor flat, the calm waters of the Black Sea stretch out into the horizon beneath the fading twilight.

Up here you can see and hear when the drones come, she says, standing by a wall-length, floor-to-ceiling window. When they hit buildings and homes in the city of Odesa down below we see all the fires too.

Her daughter Eva, who is nine, has learned the shapes and sounds of the objects that zoom through the sky on a daily basis. She proudly shows off a list of social media channels she checks when the air raid alerts go off.

She knows whether what's coming is a risk or a threat, and that calms her down, her father Serhii elaborates.

Nearly every corner of Ukraine has been targeted since Russia launched its full-scale invasion almost four years ago. Yet, in recent weeks, Odesa – Ukraine's third largest city – has endured a barrage of attacks, with strikes focused on port and energy infrastructure to cripple the region's economy and break the resolve of its residents.

Moscow's drones, often the size of motorcycles, regularly strike high-rise buildings. These attacks have proved deadly, causing injuries and widespread damage. Mariia recalls her daughter expressing fears about the pace of an approaching drone earlier in the conflict.

The family, originally from Kherson, relocated to Odesa after briefly seeking refuge in Germany. As they now assess whether to leave again due to escalating violence, Serhii reflects on the war's relentless disruption. War is only about economics, he remarks.

Odesa once stood as an economic powerhouse but has become a target due to its strategic ports, crucial for Ukraine's economy amid ongoing conflict. Recent aerial assaults have resulted in destroyed cargo and infrastructure, with ongoing threats impacting trade.

Despite power cuts plunging much of Odesa into darkness since December, the community continues to persevere, though struggling through biting winter conditions.

The regular air raid alerts have led to some residents becoming complacent regarding their safety. Yet, many understand the gravity of the situation, recognizing that evacuations may soon be necessary.

In facing these continuous trials, community leaders are striving to strengthen Odesa's identity and resilience in the face of Russian aggression.