Russian Strike on Odesa Building Injures 10, Including Two Rescue Workers

At least 10 people were injured after a Russian attack struck an 11-story administrative building in Odesa, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said on Friday.

According to the emergency service, the building was empty when the strike landed. Maryna Averina, a spokeswoman for the service in Odesa, said people had been in shelters at the time, and that taking cover during the air raid alert was what spared them.

"At the time of the strike, no one was inside the building. People were in shelters, which once again shows how important it is to take shelter during an air raid alert, because that is exactly what saved their lives," she said.

About half an hour later, while rescue workers and other emergency services were at the scene, the same building was hit again, Averina said. The injuries reported so far involve people who were driving or walking nearby when the strikes occurred.

Two members of the emergency service's own team were among the injured, hurt during the second strike. Averina said their lives were not in danger.

Video from the scene showed fire and heavy smoke rising from the building, with debris scattered around and upper floors ablaze as emergency crews worked to contain the flames.