Kyiv, Ukraine: In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia has launched a series of attacks on Ukrainian military sites, including in the capital Kyiv, and the northeastern city of Kharkiv. This move comes as a direct response to the recent attack on the Russian city of Belgorod, which Moscow has labeled a “terrorist attack”.
The Russian defense ministry confirmed that it targeted “decision-making centers and military installations” in Kharkiv. Reports from Ukraine’s National Police indicate that at least six missiles struck Kharkiv, resulting in injuries to at least 22 people and damage to numerous residential buildings, including a kindergarten.
In addition to Kharkiv, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that drones targeted civilian, military, and infrastructure sites in the Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhia regions. Out of 49 attack drones, 21 were successfully destroyed by Ukrainian forces.
The attacks on Ukrainian cities followed an incident in Belgorod, where Russia accused Ukraine of using cluster munitions in strikes that killed at least 22 people and wounded many more. The governor of the Belgorod region urged residents to seek shelter following a missile threat alert.
The escalation has drawn international attention, with concerns about the humanitarian crisis and geopolitical implications. US President Joe Biden plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following these developments. Biden has previously stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goals in Ukraine “remain unchanged” and that he seeks to “obliterate Ukraine and subjugate its people”.
Western support for Ukraine remains strong, but there is growing skepticism in some quarters about further military assistance. The US, Ukraine’s largest single-country donor, has provided over $40 billion in aid since the Russian aggression began. However, there is increasing debate in the US Congress and the European Union about continuing this level of support.
The conflict, now in a state of stalemate, continues to evolve with changing battlefront dynamics. Both Russia and Ukraine are adapting their strategies in response to the ongoing situation. The recent attacks mark one of the most significant escalations in recent months, underlining the severity of the conflict.
