A Russian drone and missile attack on the city of Odesa killed three people overnight, according to the region's governor, Oleh Kiper Reuters/US News. This is the fifth night in a row that Odesa has been attacked, Kiper said, as reported by the BBC.

The strike hit a residential building where people live, an office or warehouse building, and a pipeline that carries gas. Kiper announced the attack on Telegram, the messaging platform many Ukrainian officials use to share urgent news. Russia has been using both drones and missiles in these attacks — remote aircraft combined with long-range weapons.

The attack happened while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was arriving in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, on Wednesday morning. The European Commission is the executive arm of the European Union. However, there is no evidence that the timing was connected to her visit.

Why does Odesa matter? It is Ukraine's main port on the Black Sea, the body of water between Ukraine and Russia. After Russia took control of other ports earlier in the war, Odesa became crucial — grain and other goods that Ukraine needs to export leave through this city. The port helps keep Ukraine's economy running during the war. Russia has attacked Odesa many times, often when disputes arise about shipping routes or when shipping insurance becomes difficult to obtain.

Five nights of attacks in a row would be unusual compared to the pattern of attacks earlier in the war, which tended to be more spread out. But Kiper announced this news on Telegram, a quick way to share information, rather than through official military channels. So this is his account as a regional leader, not a verified military assessment.

When Russia attacks cities, it hits buildings where civilians live alongside ports and energy infrastructure because they sit close together in urban areas. This makes it hard to say whether a strike was aimed only at military targets or at civilian areas. Russia has not publicly explained this particular attack.

The gas pipeline damage matters because Ukraine struggles to keep people warm and powered during winter after Russia damages energy infrastructure. As the colder months approach, authorities will want to know if and when the pipeline can be fixed. The reporting available did not include those details.

The casualty numbers — three dead and an unknown number hurt — are early counts. As emergency services and officials complete their assessments, these numbers may change.