Putin reaffirms belief in victory, after latest strike

RUSSIAN drones blasted apartment buildings and the power grid in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa in an overnight attack that injured six people, including a toddler and two other children, officials said.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTERS

The attack came as Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence in his country's eventual victory in the war against its neighbour.

Four apartment buildings were damaged in the bombardment, according to regional military administration head Oleh Kiper.

Power company DTEK said two of its energy facilities suffered significant damage. The company said that 10 substations that distribute electricity in the Odesa region were damaged in December alone.

Russia has this year escalated its long-range attacks on urban areas of Ukraine. In recent months, as Russia's invasion of its neighbour approaches its four-year milestone in February, it has also intensified its targeting of energy infrastructure, seeking to deny Ukrainians heat and running water in the bitter winter months.