Two fatalities were reported in Ukraine on Friday following Russia’s consecutive drone assault, the second in only two days, according to Ukrainian officials. The Ukrainian air force revealed that they intercepted and destroyed 27 drones, of Iranian origin, across seven different regions, including the vicinity of the capital. A residential structure, located in Vinnytsia, in central Ukraine, was severely affected in the attack, causing the two casualties, disclosed the area’s governor.
It was also brought to light that Russia launched eight missiles at various locations in central and eastern Ukraine, although additional specifics weren’t provided. The attack on Friday came as a follow-up to another drone hit on the previous day, carried out by Russian forces who aimed at civilian establishments in north-eastern Ukraine.
Kyiv officials stated that the earlier assault disconnected five cities and towns from television and radio networks, seemingly with the objective of disrupting the flow of information to the public. Since its invasion of Ukraine two years ago, Russia has been routinely perpetrating air strikes on populated regions far beyond its frontlines.
In related developments, the Kremlin’s intentions to conduct presidential elections in Ukrainian regions under its control this week have been criticised by NATO and top officials from over 20 countries, including Ireland. The administration in Kyiv has also encouraged locals in these areas to stay away from polling booths to ensure their safety.
Almost 20% of Ukraine’s territory, globally recognised as its sovereign land, including parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea, remains under Russian occupation after a ten-year conflict in eastern Ukraine and a complete-scale war lasting two years.
Moscow insists that any potential peace agreement must acknowledge its rule over these areas. It also plans to have the military and civilian population living in these occupied territories participate in the elections from Friday to Sunday. This move intends to extend the tenure of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been in power for 24 years. This information includes observations from Reuters. © Thomson Reuters 2024.