A series of Ukrainian strikes on Russian-held territories in the Lugansk and Kherson regions resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals and left dozens injured, according to authorities in the occupied areas. Vladimir Saldo, head of Russian occupation authorities in Kherson, reported that 19 people died and five were wounded in the attacks on Friday.
The targeted regions, Lugansk and Kherson, were among four areas that Russia claimed to have annexed in September 2022, despite not fully controlling them following a military campaign earlier that year. The strikes specifically hit a village called Sadove in the southern Kherson region, where a shop frequented by many locals and employees was destroyed. Saldo described the strikes as a “vile murder of civilians,” attributing them to Western arms deliveries to Ukraine.
In Lugansk, Russian-appointed officials reported a missile strike on an apartment block in the city, resulting in four deaths and over 40 injuries. Leonid Pasechnik, the Russia-appointed head of the region, stated that Lugansk city experienced a “massive” missile attack, causing significant damage to residential areas, schools, kindergartens, and a college.
The Russian defence ministry accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting civilian areas, claiming that Ukrainian forces fired US-made missiles at residential districts in Lugansk. However, they reported that Russian air defences intercepted four missiles, while one struck residential buildings.
Amidst these strikes, Russia claimed progress in its military operations, stating that Russian troops had improved their positions and captured the settlement of Paraskoviivka near Donetsk. President Vladimir Putin noted that Russian forces had captured 47 Ukrainian towns and villages since the beginning of the year.
Sources By Agencies
