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Odesa attack injures one, 19 drones destroyed: Ukraine

Ukraine's southern port city of Odesa has been a frequent target of Russian missile attacks. (EPA PHOTO)

One woman has been injured and buildings and port infrastructure have been severely damaged in Russia's overnight missile and drone attack on the port of Odesa in southern Ukraine, Ukraine's military says.

"The sea port in Odesa suffered significant damage, a fire broke out in the port's hotel, which has not been functioning for several years," the south command of Ukraine's armed forces said on the Telegram messaging app.

"Firefighters promptly eliminated it."

Ukraine's Air Force said its air defence systems destroyed 19 Iranian-made Shahed drones, 11 cruise missiles and two hypersonic missiles that Russia launched on Ukraine overnight, the vast majority directed at Odesa.

Three other drones were destroyed earlier on Sunday, it said on Monday.

Reuters could not independently verify the report.

Earlier, Oleh Kiper, governor of the Odesa region, said a woman was taken to hospital after a shrapnel injury during the blast wave.

Ukraine's south military command posted on its Telegram messaging app several pictures showing a high-rise building with blown-up windows and severe damage to its structure.

There was no immediate comment from Russia about the attack.

The situation in Odesa and its ports has been watched carefully by grain markets, after Ukraine announced a "humanitarian corridor" for ships to sail into Black Sea ports and load grain for African and Asian markets, following Russia exiting a deal that ensured the safe exports of Ukraine's grain.

In the southern Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said one Russian drone had been shot down and falling debris caused a fire at an industrial enterprise, which had since been extinguished. He reported no casualties.

Russia's defence ministry said on Monday its air defence systems destroyed four Ukraine-launched drones over the northwest part of the Black Sea and over the Crimean Peninsula.

It was not immediately known whether there was any damage or injuries as a result of the reported attacks.

Reuters was not able to independently verify the Russian report. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Separately, the ministry said four other drones were destroyed overnight over Russia's Kursk and Belgorod regions.

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