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Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026
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Russia Launches Drone Strikes on Odesa Following US-Ukraine Minerals Agreement
The assault comes shortly after Ukraine secures a minerals deal with the United States, vital for future military support.
On May 1, 2025, Russian drone strikes targeted residential areas in Odesa, Ukraine, resulting in at least two fatalities and injuring 15 others.
The attack occurred hours after Ukraine formalized a minerals deal with the United States, which is expected to enhance support from Washington.
Damage reports indicate that high-rise buildings, as well as civilian facilities like a supermarket and a school, were affected.
Governor Oleh Kiper of the Odesa region confirmed through Telegram that substantial damage had been inflicted on civilian infrastructure, with rescue services responding to assist the victims.
City Mayor Gennady Trukhanov described the incident as a massive assault on Odesa, emphasizing the extensive damage to residential buildings across various districts.
Unverified video footage circulating on social media depicted the moment of the drone strike.
The minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine was negotiated over several weeks and is anticipated to facilitate the establishment of a US-Ukraine reconstruction investment fund.
Although specifics remain scarce, the deal reportedly involves the United States extracting precious minerals and rare earth elements from Ukraine, an initiative previously remarked upon by former President Trump as a means of recouping US financial aid extended to Ukraine since the onset of conflict in 2022.
In parallel developments, Ukrainian forces engaged in missile strikes in the Kursk region of Russia, according to reports from Russian war bloggers.
These bloggers noted that Ukrainian troops managed to breach the border, utilizing special vehicles to navigate minefields.
Reports from Ukrainian prosecutors indicated that Russian shelling resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals and injuries to others in the neighboring Sumy region of Ukraine.
The ongoing conflict saw allegations of heavy battles occurring at the border, with Ukrainian forces allegedly using rockets to destroy bridges and conducting assaults with armored units.
The situation in Kursk marks a renewed offensive by Ukraine, aimed at altering the dynamics of the conflict following previous claims from Russian officials that Ukrainian forces had been expelled from the area.
With no official comments from Russian authorities, the situation at the border remains fluid.
The Ukrainian military confirmed that operations in the Kursk region were underway, signaling potential shifts in tactics as the conflict continues to evolve.
The attack occurred hours after Ukraine formalized a minerals deal with the United States, which is expected to enhance support from Washington.
Damage reports indicate that high-rise buildings, as well as civilian facilities like a supermarket and a school, were affected.
Governor Oleh Kiper of the Odesa region confirmed through Telegram that substantial damage had been inflicted on civilian infrastructure, with rescue services responding to assist the victims.
City Mayor Gennady Trukhanov described the incident as a massive assault on Odesa, emphasizing the extensive damage to residential buildings across various districts.
Unverified video footage circulating on social media depicted the moment of the drone strike.
The minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine was negotiated over several weeks and is anticipated to facilitate the establishment of a US-Ukraine reconstruction investment fund.
Although specifics remain scarce, the deal reportedly involves the United States extracting precious minerals and rare earth elements from Ukraine, an initiative previously remarked upon by former President Trump as a means of recouping US financial aid extended to Ukraine since the onset of conflict in 2022.
In parallel developments, Ukrainian forces engaged in missile strikes in the Kursk region of Russia, according to reports from Russian war bloggers.
These bloggers noted that Ukrainian troops managed to breach the border, utilizing special vehicles to navigate minefields.
Reports from Ukrainian prosecutors indicated that Russian shelling resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals and injuries to others in the neighboring Sumy region of Ukraine.
The ongoing conflict saw allegations of heavy battles occurring at the border, with Ukrainian forces allegedly using rockets to destroy bridges and conducting assaults with armored units.
The situation in Kursk marks a renewed offensive by Ukraine, aimed at altering the dynamics of the conflict following previous claims from Russian officials that Ukrainian forces had been expelled from the area.
With no official comments from Russian authorities, the situation at the border remains fluid.
The Ukrainian military confirmed that operations in the Kursk region were underway, signaling potential shifts in tactics as the conflict continues to evolve.
