‘Harry Potter’ castle destroyed by Russian missile attack in Ukraine.

The Black Sea port city of Odesa was struck by a devastating Russian missile assault, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of at least five individuals while injuring more than 30, as reported by CNN. The assault, confirmed by Ukrainian authorities, unfolded tragically, with harrowing video footage capturing the moment numerous bomblets erupted near the seafront, unleashing chaos and devastation.

Among the structures ravaged by the assault was an educational institution colloquially referred to as the “Harry Potter castle” due to its striking resemblance to the iconic Scottish architectural style. Images disseminated by officials depict the once-majestic cone-shaped towers and roof engulfed in flames, painting a somber picture of the aftermath.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the assault was orchestrated using an Iskander ballistic missile alongside cluster munitions, underscoring the brutality of the attack. Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin revealed the recovery of missile debris and metal fragments strewn across a wide radius, indicating the ferocity of the strike.

Tragically, among the injured were two children and a pregnant woman, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the assault. Furthermore, the assault inflicted significant damage to nearly 20 residential buildings and critical infrastructure, compounding the already dire situation.

In a separate development, Russian officials claimed success in intercepting a substantial missile and drone onslaught by Ukraine in Crimea. Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed civilian authority in the occupied region, cautioned against approaching potential unexploded ordnance.

While Russian military bloggers asserted that the targets primarily comprised airfields, the closure and subsequent reopening of the vital bridge linking Crimea to Russia underscored the logistical challenges posed by such incidents.

The strike also targeted the private Odessa Law Academy, colloquially known as “Kivalov’s palace,” owned by politician and former member of parliament Serhiy Kivalov. The building, viewed by some as a symbol of corruption, housed various institutions and featured manicured gardens, a private beach, and a waterfront tennis court. The landmark earned its nickname for its architectural similarities to Hogwarts, the castle and home to a wizarding school depicted in the early-2000s Harry Potter films.

“All services, including the State Emergency Service, are currently working to eliminate the consequences of the missile strike—yet another war crime,” said a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defence Forces, Dmytro Pletenchuk.