In a tragic incident, a Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Odesa has claimed the lives of seven people, including a mother and her baby, adding to the escalating civilian casualties caused by the relentless bombing campaign.

According to officials, the mother, identified as Anna, was in her second-floor bedroom of an apartment building when the strike occurred. She was a florist and decorator by profession. Thankfully, her husband and daughter survived the horrifying attack.

The devastating consequences of the drone attack also reached a two-year-old boy named Timofii, who was found under rubble on the ground floor. Sadly, Timofii was killed just a day before his third birthday, making the loss even more heart-wrenching.

Authorities in Odesa City Municipality have informed that they are searching for up to 12 people, including four children, who may still be missing after the attack.

Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin of Ukraine condemned the deliberate targeting of civilians in the absence of any military facility nearby. The attack has been deemed a deliberate act of violence.

As a mark of respect and mourning, Sunday has been declared a day of remembrance in Odesa, as announced by the city's administration. The grieving nation mourns the loss of innocent lives and stands in solidarity with the affected families.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his outrage over the incident and emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the country's air defense capacities. President Zelensky highlighted the destruction caused by the enemy drone, resulting in the loss of 18 apartments.

Further amplifying the urgency, Zelensky revealed that Ukraine has been seeking increased military aid from its western allies as the conflict with Russia enters its third year. Zelensky warned that the lives of "millions" are at stake if US lawmakers fail to approve President Joe Biden's $60 billion aid request for Kyiv. The president also disclosed that around 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers have tragically lost their lives in the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is reportedly considering utilizing its last remaining source of funding for military aid to support Ukraine's war effort against Russia, despite the absence of guarantees for replenishing those funds by Congress.

The devastating loss of innocent lives in Odesa serves as a chilling reminder of the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The international community must stand united in condemning such acts of violence and work towards lasting peace in the region.