Russian Geran‑5 Drone Attack Hits Odesa, Prompting Zelenskyy’s Diplomatic Push
Updated (2 articles)
Massive Drone Swarm Overwhelms Defenses More than 50 Russian drones bombarded Odesa overnight, striking the power grid and five apartment blocks; 23 people were injured, including two children and a pregnant woman, while Ukraine’s air force reported 165 drones launched and 24 breaching defenses across seven regions [1].
First Use of Geran‑5 Jet‑Powered Drone Russia deployed the Geran‑5, a jet‑powered variant of Iran’s Shahed, capable of carrying a 90‑kg warhead and reaching nearly 1,000 km, marking its inaugural combat use according to the Defense Ministry’s intelligence directorate [1].
Zelenskyy Calls for Accelerated U.S. Diplomacy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used Telegram to demand that the United States speed up the February 1 talks and impose additional sanctions on Russia following the Odesa strike [1].
Ukraine Boosts Drone Interceptor Production Kyiv has markedly increased output of interceptor drones and is developing long‑range unmanned systems to counter Russia’s upgraded drone capabilities [1].
Analysts View Putin’s Strategy as Delay Tactic Experts note that President Putin is not rushing a peace settlement, instead offering cash bonuses, freeing prisoners, and recruiting foreigners—including misled Bangladeshi workers—to sustain the war effort [1].
Timeline
Dec 31, 2025 – Overnight Russian drones strike Odesa, injuring six people—including a toddler and two other children—and damaging four apartment buildings and two DTEK power facilities; the attack adds to damage at ten regional substations recorded throughout December, further crippling the city’s energy grid. [2]
Dec 31, 2025 – In his New Year’s address, President Vladimir Putin declares, “Russia will prevail,” praising Russian troops as heroes and reaffirming confidence in victory despite four years of war. [2]
Dec 31, 2025 – The United Nations reports a sharp rise in civilian casualties, with more than 2,300 Ukrainians killed and over 11,000 injured between January and November, underscoring the war’s escalating human toll. [2]
Dec 31, 2025 – Former President‑appointed envoy Steve Witkoff, alongside Jared Kushner and Senator Marco Rubio, holds a conference call with British, French, German and Ukrainian national‑security advisers to advance the European peace process, discussing security guarantees, de‑confliction measures and post‑war reconstruction plans. [2]
Dec 31, 2025 – Romania and Croatia join the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) fund, bringing the coalition to 24 NATO contributors that have pooled roughly $4.3 billion for U.S. weapons and equipment for Ukraine, with $1.5 billion contributed in December alone. [2]
Dec 31, 2025 – Russian officials claim to have shot down 86 Ukrainian drones overnight and release a video of a downed drone allegedly linked to an attack on a residence used by President Putin; Kyiv’s Center for Countering Disinformation disputes the video’s authenticity and relevance. [2]
Jan 27, 2026 – More than 50 Russian drones, including newly upgraded models, bombard Odesa, striking the power grid and five apartment blocks; 23 people are injured, among them two children and a pregnant woman, highlighting the intensified aerial campaign. [1]
Jan 27, 2026 – President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posts on Telegram, urging the United States to “accelerate the diplomatic talks scheduled for Feb. 1 and impose additional sanctions on Russia,” pressing for a faster diplomatic push amid the latest attacks. [1]
Jan 27, 2026 – Russia launches 165 drones in a single night; 24 penetrate Ukrainian air defenses and hit targets across seven regions, while Russian air defenses later down 19 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory, illustrating a steep escalation in unmanned‑air warfare. [1]
Jan 27, 2026 – The Russian Defense Ministry confirms the first combat use of the Geran‑5, a jet‑powered drone derived from Iran’s Shahed, capable of carrying a 90‑kg warhead and reaching nearly 1,000 km, marking a significant upgrade in Russia’s strike capabilities. [1]
Jan 27, 2026 – Analysts note that President Putin deliberately delays a peace settlement, instead offering cash bonuses, prisoner releases and recruitment of foreign laborers—some misled Bangladeshi workers—to sustain domestic support for the war. [1]
Jan 27, 2026 – Ukraine ramps up production of interceptor drones and begins development of long‑range unmanned systems, aiming to counter Russia’s enhanced drone arsenal and restore air‑defense resilience. [1]