Recent Russian shelling on Thursday has led to tragic fatalities in various parts of Ukraine. Local officials have reported the death of three women in the southern city of Kherson and two individuals in the eastern region of Donetsk.
In the city of Kherson, which was evacuated by Russian forces late last year alongside other residential areas on the western bank of the Dnieper River, the victims were tragically killed on one of its streets. Russian forces have periodically targeted Kherson and its surrounding regions from their positions on the river’s eastern bank.
Meanwhile, in Donetsk, a region under Russian control, prosecutors stated that two individuals lost their lives when Russian forces shelled Krasnohorivka, west of the city, near the long-contested town of Marinka.
Further reports from prosecutorial representatives highlighted that three individuals were injured in Kostiantynivka, west of Bakhmut, an area dominated by Russia since May, following two aerial raids conducted by Russian forces within an hour.
Ukrainian military officials have reported robust defenses against significant attacks launched by Russian forces on Wednesday, attempting to reclaim their previously lost eastern front positions.
Initiating a counter-offensive in June to regain eastern territories, the Ukrainian military announced its control over two crucial villages, Andriyivka and Klishyivka, near Bakhmut, in the past two weeks. The forces are also making strides southward towards the Azov Sea, aiming to sever the land bridge established by Russia between the annexed Crimean peninsula and its eastern strongholds.
Speaking to local television, Ilya Yeflash, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Eastern Forces Group, stated, “We continue to repel the intensified enemy attacks near Klishyivka and Andriyivka.” He added, “The adversary is still attempting to infiltrate these locations in hopes of reclaiming their lost territories, but they haven’t been successful.” Yeflash also noted that the last 24 hours witnessed 544 Russian shelling incidents in the region, including 7 combative confrontations and 4 aerial attacks.
The renewed aggression underlines the tense situation in the region, demanding international attention and diplomatic efforts for de-escalation.