Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Faces Increased Russian Aerial Strikes, Resulting in Casualties

According to regional Ukrainian officials, Russian forces have escalated their aerial strikes, firing cruise missiles at the southern city of Odesa and shelling the eastern Donetsk region. These attacks have claimed the lives of at least six people and caused extensive damage to numerous homes.

The Ukrainian military spokesperson confirmed the intensified airstrikes by Russian forces in the ongoing 16-month war. Simultaneously, Ukraine’s armed forces have reported limited territorial gains in their counteroffensive to reclaim the approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory under Russian control.

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar acknowledged the slow but steady progress of the Ukrainian advance. However, experts and military officials anticipate that dislodging entrenched Russian troops, possessing superior firepower and fortified positions, could take several years.

Despite the Russian military’s advantages in artillery, air power, and the presence of landmines left behind, Ukrainian forces have managed to make significant strides. Maliar highlighted that Ukraine’s losses on the battlefield have been significantly lower compared to those of Russian troops since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

It should be noted that the claims made on the battlefield could not be independently verified.

A Western official, speaking anonymously to discuss intelligence, stated that Ukrainian forces could expect slow progress in the immensely challenging fight during the counteroffensive. The official described the current situation as intense fighting across multiple sectors of the front, with Ukrainian forces methodically advancing against well-defended Russian positions.

In Odesa, a strike launched from the Black Sea resulted in the death of three food warehouse employees and inflicted damage on residential areas, shops, and cafes. Meanwhile, in the eastern Donetsk region, shelling destroyed homes and caused damage to Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka, leading to the deaths of at least three people. Additionally, several towns and villages along the front line in Donetsk were targeted by Russian attacks as Ukrainian troops gradually advance.

Andriy Kovalov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s armed forces, reported that Russian military activity, including missile and aerial strikes, intensified as Ukrainian forces intensified their attacks along the 1,000-kilometer front line. The attacks involved various missiles and drones, with some intercepted by Ukrainian defenses.

Separately, the mayor of Kryvyi Rih confirmed that the death toll from a Russian strike on an apartment building had risen to 12.

Amidst the conflict, Ukrainian authorities are also dealing with flooding in the southern Kherson region, which has led to the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. Numerous settlements have been submerged, and the rescue efforts are underway despite relentless Russian shelling.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s visit to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was postponed due to security concerns. The plant has been repeatedly affected by the conflict since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Reports regarding the condition of Adam Delimkhanov, a relative and close associate of the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, circulated. Conflicting accounts emerged, with some suggesting that Delimkhanov had been wounded or killed in Ukraine. However, Kadyrov shared a photo confirming Delimkhanov’s well-being and expressing his awareness of the situation from the beginning.

The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, and the conflict continues to unfold. For further updates, you can follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://bigbignews.net/russia-ukraine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about airstrikes

More about airstrikes

• AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine
• UN atomic watchdog chief visits Ukraine nuclear plant threatened by war with Russia
• War disrupts education of Ukrainian kids, even those who’ve found safety abroad
• NATO sees no change in Russia’s nuclear posture despite Belarus leader’s claims
• Visually impaired people in Ukraine struggle to cope during Russian missile attacks