Russian Missile Attack on Ukrainian Village Results in 51 Fatalities, According to Ukrainian Authorities, While Zelenskyy Solicits Increased Western Backing

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A missile attack by Russia on a village in eastern Ukraine led to the death of a minimum of 51 civilians, marking it one of the most fatal assaults in recent months of the ongoing conflict. This information was confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other high-ranking officials in Kyiv.

The assault occurred concurrently with President Zelenskyy’s participation in a summit involving approximately 50 European leaders in Spain, aimed at garnering additional support for Ukraine. He condemned the attack on the village of Hroza as an overtly heinous act perpetrated by Russia and characterized it as a calculated act of terrorism.

Key aides to the President, Andrii Yermak and Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov, revealed that a child aged six was among the casualties. They also indicated that an additional seven individuals sustained injuries. Prior to the conflict, the village of Hroza in northeastern Kharkiv had an estimated population of 500.

Internal Affairs Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed that about 60 people were present in the café at the time of the attack, attending a wake following a funeral. According to initial reports from Kyiv, an Iskander missile was responsible for the attack. Ukrainian emergency services were dispatched to sift through the debris of damaged structures, while prosecutors released images depicting the aftermath, including the bodies of victims.

The village, along with other regions in eastern Kharkiv, had been occupied by Russian forces early in the war but was retaken by Ukrainian forces in September 2022. Hroza is situated just 30 kilometers west of Kupiansk, an area crucial to Russian military efforts. Zelenskyy had visited the area earlier in the week to meet with military personnel and to inspect equipment supplied by Western nations.

During his attendance at the European Political Community summit in Granada, Spain, Zelenskyy reiterated his plea for heightened Western backing, emphasizing that Russia’s acts of terror needed to be curtailed. “This form of Russian aggression aims to normalize genocidal acts on an international scale,” he declared, outlining Ukraine’s current dialogues with European leaders about fortifying the country’s air defenses and military capabilities.

Last winter witnessed Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages throughout the country. Although Ukraine’s power system has demonstrated resilience, concerns remain that Russia might intensify its strikes as winter approaches.

Zelenskyy also disclosed that discussions at the Granada summit would address global food security and maritime safety in the Black Sea, following Russia’s exit from a United Nations-backed grain deal that had ensured secure grain exports from Ukrainian ports.

United Kingdom intelligence indicated that Russia could potentially deploy sea mines near Ukrainian ports to imperil civilian shipping while attributing such acts to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy urged the importance of European unity in combating Russian disinformation and sustaining strength amid U.S. political instability.

When questioned about potential wavering support from the U.S. Congress, Zelenskyy affirmed his confidence in sustained American backing, following his recent visit to Washington. He called for enhanced military aid, including advanced air defense systems, artillery, and long-range missiles, to shield Europe from potential Russian aggression.

In parallel developments, Russian drone strikes targeted southern Ukrainian regions. Ukrainian air defenses claimed to have intercepted 24 of the 29 Iranian-made drones launched at Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kirovohrad. Ukrainian forces have also launched retaliatory drone attacks across the Russian border, affecting infrastructure and causing power outages in Russia’s Kursk region, according to Governor Roman Starovoit.

Additional contributions by Big Big News writers Dasha Litvinova and Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia.

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More about Russian missile attack

• Ukraine-Russia Conflict Overview
• President Zelenskyy’s Official Statement on Missile Attack
• European Summit in Spain 2023
• Russia’s Previous Attacks on Ukraine’s Infrastructure
• Western Support for Ukraine in Ongoing Conflict
• Ukrainian Military Response to Russian Aggression
• Analysis of Russia-Ukraine Relations
• Iskander Missiles and Their Capabilities