Odesa, Ukraine: Ukrainian port city of Odesa faced heavy bombardment from Russian missiles on Friday, resulting in numerous casualties, including rescue personnel, in what President Volodymyr Zelensky termed a reprehensible act.
Eyewitnesses and official reports depicted scenes of devastation, with bodies strewn across streets and exhausted emergency responders battling flames and attending to the wounded amidst blood and debris.
Reports from local authorities indicated that Russian airstrikes targeted residential areas, ambulances, and critical infrastructure, resulting in the death of at least 20 individuals and injuring 73 others, including rescuers.
Maria Slyzovska, a witness to the onslaught, recounted the harrowing experience of seeing her mother’s home devastated by consecutive missile strikes, emphasizing the pervasive fear and uncertainty faced by residents.
President Zelensky condemned the assault, noting that Russian forces employed a double-tap tactic, endangering both civilians and those providing aid.
City officials attributed the attack to Iskander missiles launched from Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, further exacerbating tensions in the region.
While Russia remained silent on the strikes, the assault coincided with the start of presidential elections in Russia, prompting criticism from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and numerous member states for holding the vote in occupied Ukrainian territories.
The attack in Odesa marked the latest escalation in hostilities between Kyiv and Moscow, with reports of additional casualties in other Ukrainian regions, including Vinnytsia and Zaporizhzhia, allegedly caused by Russian drone strikes and artillery fire.
In Donetsk, under Russian control, officials decried what they described as a Ukrainian attack on a residential area, resulting in the tragic deaths of three children.
Meanwhile, Russia reported Ukrainian drone and artillery attacks near the shared border, leading to casualties in towns like Grayvoron and Belgorod.
The increased aggression in border regions follows Russia’s recent capture of Avdiivka, prompting concerns about further territorial advances and intensified conflict.
Ukrainian military leadership asserted that Russia’s actions aimed to penetrate deeper into Ukrainian territory, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by frontline communities.
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