At least 15 people have been killed and over 30 others have been wounded as a result of Russia launching a missile attack on Ukraine. The attack was aimed at a private company warehouse and an apartment block in the city of Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, was also attacked with Iranian-made Shahed drones, and the capital came under fire. The country’s General Staff claims its air defenses shot down 10 of the 14 cruise missiles and one of four Iranian-made drones launched by Russia.
The counteroffensive launched by Ukraine forces have only recaptured small pieces of territory west of Bakhmut, forcing them to fight meter by meter to regain the one-fifth of the country currently under Russian occupation. Despite the Ukrainian advances, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that he could order his troops to seize more land in Ukraine to protect Russian territory on the border. Putin also reiterated Russia’s claim of Ukraine’s responsibility for blowing up a Dnieper River dam, which caused flooding in southern Ukraine.
Recent weeks have also seen increased attack on Russia’s border areas, with the Kremlin blaming Ukrainian forces for the incursions and drone strikes. Meanwhile, local leaders have pleaded with Moscow to do more to protect their residents, some of whom have been evacuated to safer areas.
Despite Russia’s denials of intentionally targeting civilians, at least four people were killed and 28 injured after an explosion in an apartment block in Kryvyi Rih. A further seven people were killed in a warehouse linked to this counteroffensive, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accuse “Russian killers” of carrying out the attack.
These missile attacks come as Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia enters its early days, with Ukrainian soldiers recapturing seven settlements, advancing up to 6.5 kilometers, and seizing 90 square kilometers of land along a 100-kilometer stretch in the southern front line. Russia denies these gains and claims its forces have repelled advances since 4th of June.
In addition to the missile strikes in Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv, and the capital, overnight air strikes by Russian forces have also hit other civilian buildings, killing at least 10 people and wounding 28 in Kryvyi Rih, which is President Zelenskyy’s home town. The Kyiv military administration reported that Ukraine’s capital came under fire in the latest barrage of strikes, but incoming missiles were destroyed by air defenses, with no reported casualties. Ukraine’s deputy defense minister has stated that the country’s forces are continuing their offensive in four areas in the south and east, while Russian forces are said to be losing positions on the flanks.
This conflict has been ongoing, with a residential building in Ukraine’s war-torn city of Kramatorsk being hit by a missile attack on 23 November, according to a message posted by President Zelensky. The incident caused considerable damage to the surrounding area and an unknown number of deaths, highlighting the ongoing suffering of the Ukrainian people in this war.
In conclusion, this missile attack by Russia on Ukraine has led to the loss of innocent lives and has worsened the conflict between the two nations. The situation remains tense, with both sides continuing to fight, and the possibility of more violence cannot be ruled out. As this conflict continues, the people of Ukraine continue to suffer the consequences of war.