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What Russia's strikes on Odesa and Sumy showed
Summary
A look back at two Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities that hit civilian buildings between 30 and 31 January 2025.
What did the Russian attacks of 30 and 31 January 2025 do to Ukraine's cities? Both struck residential and civilian areas, one in the north-east and one on the Black Sea coast.
On 30 January, a Russian drone hit a multi-storey apartment building in Sumy. Nine people were killed and 13 others were injured.
On 31 January, Russian forces fired ballistic missiles at the centre of Odesa and its port. Numerous civilian buildings were severely damaged, among them the historic Bristol Hotel. At least two people were reportedly injured.
Two cities, two weapons
The two attacks used different means: a drone against a residential block in Sumy, and ballistic missiles against the centre and port of Odesa. Together, they hit civilian buildings in cities far apart across Ukraine on consecutive days.
The Sumy strike was the deadlier of the two, with nine dead. In Odesa, the damage to the city centre was the main consequence reported at the time, along with at least two injured.
