5 Dead in New Russia, Ukraine Strikes

Russia's overnight strikes killed two people and injured dozens across Ukraine, while a Ukrainian drone attack claimed three lives in Russia's Belgorod region. This escalation in long-range strikes, occurring more than four years into Russia's full-scale invasion, is leading to an increasing number of civilian casualties.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Russia's actions as "ballistic terror," noting that 61 missiles of various types had targeted his country this week alone. He urged for "more pressure, more sanctions against Russia and more air defence for Ukraine are needed."

“

More pressure, more sanctions against Russia and more air defence for Ukraine are needed.

In Kharkiv, a major northeastern city, a Russian drone strike destroyed four floors of a residential building, killing two people and injuring 23 others. Images shared by regional governor Oleg Synegoubov showed emergency services working amidst the rubble. In Odesa, eight people were injured as strikes damaged the power grid, port facilities, and residential buildings. Zelensky also condemned a "brutal" strike on energy infrastructure near a shopping center in Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk region, which injured nine people, including four children.

Meanwhile, in Russia's border city of Belgorod, a Ukrainian drone attack resulted in three deaths and injured 25 people, including children aged four and nine. Fires broke out in vehicles and residential buildings. On the front lines, the Russian army claimed to have captured two small villages in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, though these claims remain unverified. The conflict, which began over four years ago, continues with stalled prospects for a peace agreement.

“

More pressure, more sanctions against Russia and more air defence for Ukraine are needed.