KIEV, Ukraine – At least 10 people have been killed and dozens injured in a series of airstrikes and drone attacks carried out by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, according to local authorities. The strikes, which were reportedly launched from the Black Sea, targeted several areas in the Kharkiv region, where Ukrainian forces have been battling Russian-backed separatists for months.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country’s military had successfully hit Russian oil tankers and a terminal in the region, in an attempt to disrupt Moscow’s supply lines. “We are doing everything possible to stop the flow of oil to our enemy,” Zelensky stated in a televised address. “Our forces have already dealt significant blows to Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers, which has been secretly transporting oil and fuel from Crimea.”
The Ukrainian military claimed that their forces had used advanced drones to track and target Russian tankers, which were reportedly traveling through the Kerch Strait between Ukraine and Russia. The strikes, which were described as ” precision-guided” by Ukrainian officials, hit several targets in the Kharkiv region, including an oil refinery and a storage facility.
However, Russian state media reported that their forces had launched air raids on Ukrainian positions in the same area, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens more. The Russian military claimed that they were targeting Ukrainian artillery and mortar positions, which they said were “aggressively shelling” civilian areas.
The escalating conflict in eastern Ukraine has raised tensions between Russia and the West, with NATO officials warning of a potential escalation into all-out war. The United States and European Union have imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine, and have increased military aid to Kiev.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued to push back against Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region, where fighting has been intense for months. The Ukrainian military claimed that they had made significant gains in recent days, taking control of several key towns and villages from separatist forces.
The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries on both sides, as well as widespread destruction and displacement of civilians. The international community is calling for a negotiated peace, but so far, no major breakthroughs have been reported.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, world leaders are urging caution and restraint on all sides. “The people of Ukraine deserve our support and protection,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “We will continue to work with our international partners to find a peaceful solution to this conflict.”
Stay informed with headlines.com