Odesa Maternity Hospital Suspends Operations Following Aerial Strikes: Newborns and Staff Evacuated Amidst Widespread Medical Damage

Newborns and staff have been transferred to other facilities after a Russian drone strike damaged an Odesa maternity hospital and several nearby clinics.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 10:33 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Interfax-Ukraine

Emergency Evacuation of the Vulnerable

The Odesa City Council has announced the temporary closure of one of its primary maternity hospitals following a direct impact from Russian aerial strikes. To ensure the safety of the most vulnerable citizens, all current patients, newly born infants, and medical staff have been successfully transferred to other specialized healthcare facilities throughout the city. This move follows a night of intensive shelling that compromised the structural integrity and operational capacity of the hospital’s roof and upper levels. The facility will remain closed to new admissions until a full safety audit and necessary repairs are completed.

Collateral Damage in the Prymorsky Medical Hub

The maternity hospital was not the only healthcare target in the vicinity. The Prymorsky district, a central hub for Odesa’s medical services, suffered extensive damage across multiple clinics. In a consultative and diagnostic center and its associated day hospital, as well as a local children’s clinic and a family medicine outpatient facility, more than 60 windows were shattered by a powerful blast wave. Internal doors were also blown off their hinges, creating significant internal debris. Despite these damages, the city council confirmed that these specific outpatient clinics continue to provide essential care to the public, albeit under strained conditions.

The Scale of the 60-Drone Offensive

The damage to Odesa’s medical infrastructure was part of a larger, coordinated offensive involving 60 strike drones launched against the region overnight into Saturday. The relentless nature of the swarm resulted in two confirmed fatalities and more than ten injuries, with at least one child among the wounded. The military administration noted that the "cynical" nature of the attack was evident in the choice of targets, which spanned across residential neighborhoods, port facilities, and medical centers. In the port sector, a strategic grain gallery was also damaged, further complicating the region's logistical and humanitarian standing.