Russia launched 17 Iranian-made drones on the southern port city of Odessa overnight. Ukraine’s air defense destroyed 14 unmanned aerial vehicles, local authorities said, adding there is damage in the area. A fire also broke out, but no casualties were reported, UNIAN informed. Urgent talks are underway in Washington on the provision of older HAWK air defense missile systems to Ukraine, reports Politico. In the early 1990’s the Hawk missile system was replaced by the Patriot system, but is still in service in some European countries. Spain has pledged to send Ukraine HAWK missile launchers.

Ahead of the expected Ukrainian counter-offensive, the Russian army has deployed TOS-1A “Solntsepek” thermobaric artillery systems in the occupied territories to strengthen its striking capabilities, the Institute for the Study of War reported. The so-called vacuum bomb is considered a conventional weapon, but it is extremely devastating and inhumane.