Escalating Tensions: Russia and Ukraine Trade Missile and Drone Strikes
Russia and Ukraine exchange missile and drone strikes, impacting cities like Odesa and Dnipro and causing casualties and property damage. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy emphasizes the need for European protection, as efforts for peace remain stagnant amid ongoing conflict. Both sides deny targeting civilians, yet fatalities and damage continue to rise.
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russian forces targeted the Ukrainian cities of Odesa and Dnipro with missile and drone strikes, inflicting damage on residential buildings and injuring numerous civilians. Concurrently, Ukraine launched a sizable drone attack on Moscow, resulting in civilian casualties, amid stalled peace efforts in the prolonged conflict.
According to Ukraine's air force, 524 drones and 22 missiles were launched by Russia in a series of attacks that persisted from Sunday evening into Monday. These attacks injured several people in Dnipro, including young children, and damaged key infrastructure such as schools and religious institutions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized the critical need for European protection against such assaults.
Ukraine's energy company Naftogaz reported damage to its facilities from drones, while foreign-flagged vessels in the Black Sea were also impacted. Meanwhile, Russia contends with its own civilian casualties from Ukrainian drone attacks. Both countries deny targeting civilians, although the destruction across urban regions continues unabated, prolonging the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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