Russian Strikes Kill Two in Ukraine and Damage Port Facilities
By Vitalii Hnidyi
Ukraine continues to face devastating air strikes from Russia, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and significant damage to vital infrastructure. The city of Kharkiv witnessed the tragic deaths of a 10-year-old boy and his grandmother as two Iskander ballistic missiles struck the area. Regional governor Oleh Synehubov reported that 28 others were wounded, including an 11-month-old baby.
This heart-wrenching incident left Tymofiy’s father, Oleh Bychko, in shock and speechless. He miraculously managed to rescue his younger son and wife from the rubble after the strike. The residential building where the missile hit suffered extensive destruction, with rescue workers battling the chaos of bricks, twisted metal, and wood.
These strikes follow yesterday’s missile attack in the village of Hroza, where dozens of civilians gathered to mourn a fallen Ukrainian soldier. The attack became one of the deadliest since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
In response to this “Russian terror,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s resilience and daily resistance against the occupiers.
Overnight, Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted and shot down 25 out of 33 drones launched by Russia from Crimea. The targeted regions included Odesa, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, and Kharkiv, causing disruption and damage to various areas.
Grain Silo Damaged
One of the drone attacks hit a grain silo in the Izmail district of the Odesa region. Regional governor Oleh Kiper reported that although the attack caused nine trucks to catch fire, the blaze was quickly extinguished. The aerial assault lasted for three-and-a-half hours, primarily targeting the border and port infrastructure of the Izmail district.
These attacks on Ukraine’s southern regions, rich in Black Sea and river ports, coincide with Russia’s withdrawal from a grain deal in July. The termination of the agreement disrupted Ukrainian shipments via the Black Sea, exacerbating the global food crisis.
Ukraine, a significant global grain producer and exporter, is being deliberately targeted to prevent its grain from reaching the rest of the world.
Ukraine’s Counteroffensive
In response to the Russian forces, Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive in the south and east of the country. However, progress has been slow over the past four months.
Despite these challenging circumstances, Ukraine remains steadfast in its determination to protect its sovereignty and overcome the aggression it faces. The international community must stand in solidarity with Ukraine, offering support and condemning the unwarranted attacks from Russia.
