The conflict in Ukraine has intensified with a series of drone attacks resulting in casualties across various cities. Russia has claimed to have gained control over new areas in Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk, while simultaneously accusing the West of not including any peace negotiations in their agenda to seek a resolution.
According to authorities, Russian and Ukrainian airstrikes have led to at least three fatalities in central Ukraine, and two in western Russia.
In an attack involving a Ukrainian drone on the Rostov region in southwestern Russia, three individuals died, while a Russian strike in Dnipro, eastern Ukraine, resulted in one death, as reported by officials from both countries.
Yuri Slyusar, the governor of Rostov, stated via Telegram that a vehicle caught fire in the Zimovnikovsky area as a result of a drone attack, claiming the lives of two people.
The Russian defense ministry announced that air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 54 drones, including 24 in the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine.
Additionally, Russia launched 208 drones and 27 missiles at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, which confirmed the downing of 183 drones and 17 missiles.
In the central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, Governor Serhiy Lysak reported that three people were killed and six were injured in and around Dnipro.
The governor conveyed through Telegram that a 21-year-old young man succumbed to his injuries in the hospital, while another individual died in one of the villages in the region.
In Dnipro, the city’s mayor, Borys Filatov, reported a fatality in a luxury high-rise building and expressed his regret over the lack of shelter, urging residents to avoid staying on higher floors during bombardments.
Meanwhile, the governor of Kharkiv reported three injuries due to shelling in the city of Zmiiv.
In Zaporizhzhia, fires were reported as a result of Russian strikes, one of which hit a residential building but reportedly caused no injuries, as clarified by Governor Ivan Fedorov.
Furthermore, Russia announced yesterday its control over two new villages in Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions. The Russian military stated via Telegram that its forces secured the village of Zyleni Hai in Donetsk and Malieivka in Dnipropetrovsk.
Intense Fighting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that fierce battles are ongoing around the city of Pokrovsk in western Donetsk region.
Zelensky mentioned in a video address that Supreme Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi informed a meeting of senior officials that the situation around Pokrovsk is currently the focal point of the conflict, noting that all operational directions are being monitored, with particular emphasis on Pokrovsk due to its significance.
Ukrainian forces continue their operations in border areas of the northern Sumy region, where Russian troops have been positioned in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the West’s true agenda has never included peace talks or finding a resolution in Ukraine.
Zakharova added in remarks reported by the Russian news agency TASS that if the West genuinely desires peace in Ukraine, it must cease supplying arms to Kyiv.