Deadly Russian airstrikes claim lives in eastern Ukraine residential area

Tragedy struck the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine as Russian airstrikes left at least seven people dead and dozens injured. The city, located just 50 kilometers from the frontline, witnessed the destruction caused by two missiles launched within a 40-minute interval. The attack targeted residential buildings, a hotel, eateries, shops, and administrative structures, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Rescue teams tirelessly worked through the debris, evacuating survivors and tending to the wounded.

According to Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of the Donetsk region’s military administration, these strikes took place on Monday, prompting a response from Ukrainian authorities. Igor Klymenko, Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, confirmed the casualties, which included two children and a high-ranking emergency official of the Donetsk region. The injured tally reached 67, creating a grim picture of the destruction’s impact.

As the nation reeled from this tragedy, President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video on social media, illustrating the community’s resilience as they aided the wounded and cleared rubble from the affected building. The footage also highlighted another severely damaged structure, accentuating the scale of destruction that unfolded.

The conflict’s backdrop was further complicated by Russia’s reported advances towards Kupiansk, approximately 150 kilometers north of Pokrovsk. Moscow’s defense ministry announced that its troops had made progress of 11 kilometers along the frontline and more than three kilometers into the enemy’s defenses over the past three days. Moscow claimed to have bolstered its position on the frontline and continued to ward off Ukrainian counterattacks.

While diplomatic efforts were underway, a peace summit held in Saudi Arabia garnered Ukraine’s satisfaction. Representatives from around 40 countries convened, excluding Moscow. Despite the initiative, Russia remained dismissive, with its ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, emphasizing the need for Russia’s participation to achieve meaningful results in addressing the Ukrainian crisis.