Fresh Attacks Kill Four in Ukraine as Conflict Intensifies; Russia Reports Casualties
Just one day after Russia launched its deadliest attack on Kyiv this year, claiming at least 30 lives, Ukraine is once again reeling from fresh assaults. Four people, including a toddler, have been killed and ten others injured in recent Russian strikes across the country.
In Ukraine’s bordering Sumy region, a Russian drone hit an apartment building on Friday. The attack killed two women, an elderly man, and a young child. Three other people were injured in this incident, according to local officials.
Separately, a missile attack targeted Kryvyi Rih, a city in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Seven people were injured here, with two women remaining in hospital. The strike damaged nine apartment buildings, a school, a company, several shops, and around ten vehicles. Gas supply was cut to two residential buildings. Kryvyi Rih is a significant industrial centre and the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It has faced frequent attacks throughout the war.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Russia’s barrage, repeating his call for a ceasefire. A UN spokesman stated that attacks against civilians and civilian buildings are a clear violation of international law and must stop. However, the Kremlin has vowed to increase “pressure” on Kyiv.
Ukrainian officials said their air force shot down a high number of drones and missiles launched by Russia in recent days. The European Union’s top diplomat plans to propose new sanctions against Moscow following these attacks. President Zelenskyy has promised that his forces will retaliate.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s border regions also caused deaths and damage. At least two people were killed overnight into Friday by Ukrainian drone attacks. Several industrial sites were also damaged.
In Russia’s western city of Belgorod, a woman died in her car after being hit by shrapnel. The city also experienced disruptions to water and power supplies. Local reports indicated an industrial facility caught fire after missiles hit Belgorod.
In another Russian border region, Bryansk, a man died in a village following a drone attack. A fire also broke out at an industrial site in the western Smolensk region after a drone strike, though no injuries were reported there. Ukraine has been targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure for months, aiming to weaken its military capabilities.
