Moldovan-Ukrainian border disrupted after Russian attacks on Odesa: Ukraine closes road section
The Moldovan-Ukrainian border crossing has been disrupted following Russian attacks on the Odessa region last night. The Border Guard Service of Ukraine announced that a portion of the Odessa-Reni route is closed to traffic, making access to certain border crossing points with the Republic of Moldova impossible. The Border Guard Police of the Republic of Moldova advises citizens to avoid traveling in the area and to refrain from any travel to the Odessa region.
On the morning of August 9, the Border Police of the Republic of Moldova advised citizens to avoid traveling in the area following the temporary suspension of traffic on the bridge near the village of Maiaki-Udobnoe due to an air alert in Ukraine.
The Border Police stated, "Currently, at the Palanca-Maiaki-Udobnoe and Tudora-Starokazacie border crossing points, processing of individuals and vehicles is only allowed for entry into the Republic of Moldova. Exit from the Republic of Moldova is permitted only through the Tudora-Starokazacie border crossing point. We recommend that citizens avoid traveling in the area and refrain from going to the Odessa region."
Odessa under attack: Dozens of drones and missiles target the city
The Russian assault on Odessa commenced at around 3:20 a.m. and continued for several hours. Russia launched a barrage of drones and missiles, resulting in significant destruction across multiple districts of the city. At least eight individuals were injured, primarily suffering from medium-severity shrapnel wounds. The Primorsky, Hadzhibeisky, and Peresypsky districts experienced power outages, and the water supply was also disrupted.
Oleg Kiper, the head of the Odessa Regional Military Administration, reported that several apartment buildings were damaged or partially destroyed in two of the affected districts. Several residents’ cars were also set ablaze.
"The enemy deployed dozens of missiles and drones, inflicting the greatest damage on Odessa. Several apartment blocks suffered substantial damage in two districts," Kiper stated.
A fire erupted in a four-story apartment building in central Odessa, consuming approximately 1,000 square meters. Additionally, two private homes, along with roofs and windows of other buildings, suffered damage, as did office spaces and at least six vehicles. Electric public transport was temporarily halted, and buses replaced trams and trolleybuses on some lines.
Drone attack on apartment building in Kharkiv
On the morning of August 9, the Russian military targeted the Saltovsky district of Kharkiv. A drone struck a ten-story apartment building, significantly damaging floors seven to ten. A second drone attack hit a nearby apartment building. Tragically, two individuals lost their lives, and one person was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. In total, 18 people sustained injuries, and firefighters evacuated 12 residents from apartments that were engulfed in smoke and flames. Some individuals remained trapped under the rubble as rescue operations continued at the scene.
Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov stated that Russia had deliberately targeted the apartment buildings.
