Russian Strikes Ignite Fires at Businesses in Odesa and Zaporizhzhia

Russian strikes sparked major fires at industrial premises in Ukraine’s Odesa and Zaporizhzhia regions on Friday, 16 October, prompting firefighters and emergency crews to respond at both locations.

Fires reported at two businesses

In Odesa, firefighters tackled a blaze at a factory producing household goods. In Zaporizhzhia, emergency crews worked to contain a fire at a private business that covered 500 square metres.

Ukraine’s emergency services released footage showing firefighters directing jets of water into the flames at both sites. Crews in Zaporizhzhia used an elevated platform while responding to the fire.

The available information does not give casualty figures, the full extent of damage or whether either fire had been completely extinguished.

European leaders gather for talks

The fires occurred as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined European leaders for talks. Footage showed Zelensky arriving alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk were also among the leaders filmed at the gathering.