Title: Russian Forces Unleash Missiles Across Ukraine, Inflicting Casualties and Damaging Infrastructure
Subtitle: Attacks intensify as Russia accuses the West of fueling conflict
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — In a devastating escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russian forces launched a barrage of missiles across Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties and significant damage to infrastructure. The attacks occurred just hours before top Russian military officials and their counterparts from allied countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa gathered for a security conference outside Moscow.
Missiles struck cities across Ukraine, even reaching areas far behind the front lines where Ukraine is engaged in a prolonged battle against entrenched Russian forces. Since launching its counteroffensive in early June, Ukraine has struggled to make significant gains against Russia’s heavily fortified defenses along the more than 1,000-kilometer front line.
Commenting on the latest attacks, presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak denounced the deliberate large-scale attacks on civilians, highlighting the killing and psychological pressure inflicted by Russia on the Ukrainian population.
The western region of Lviv bore the brunt of the assault, with six Russian-launched missiles hitting the area. The attack resulted in 19 people being wounded, including a 10-year-old child. Lviv Gov. Maksym Kozytskyi reported damage to the power grid and nearly 120 residential buildings.
Tragedy struck in Lutsk, north of Lviv, as Russian missiles hit a factory belonging to the Swedish bearings maker SKF. Three employees lost their lives in the strike. Additionally, a food warehouse was targeted, resulting in the death of one individual in Kramatorsk, located in eastern Ukraine. In central Ukraine, the city of Smila was deprived of access to water, and a medical facility suffered damage.
The assault on Odesa, a city in Ukraine’s southwest, continued with missiles and drone strikes aimed at vital facilities responsible for transporting the country’s grain exports. The attacks also caused damage to significant historical sites. The targeting of Odesa came following Russia’s decision to sever a landmark agreement that facilitated the flow of grain from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia – ultimately exacerbating the risk of hunger in these regions.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a pre-recorded video statement, accused the West of fueling the conflict by providing vast financial resources and military support to Kyiv. Putin emphasized that these actions were fostering further confrontation and potentially drawing other states into the conflict. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu sought to downplay the significance of the West’s support for Ukraine, claiming that Kyiv’s forces were failing to achieve desired results on the battlefield.
Amidst the escalating crisis, Sweden announced a 3.4 billion-kronor ($314 million) aid package, which includes provision of ammunition to support previous Swedish military assistance.
As attacks intensify and civilians bear the brunt of the violence, Ukrainians living close to the northeastern frontline have begun evacuating, fearing further escalations from Russia.
The situation remains fluid, and efforts to de-escalate the crisis and find a peaceful resolution continue.
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Litvinova reported from Tallinn, Estonia. Associated Press writer Emma Burrows in London contributed to this report.