Tragedy struck the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine as Russian forces launched two consecutive strikes, resulting in the death of at least five people and leaving more than 31 others injured.
The attacks occurred within a span of 40 minutes, causing significant damage to the city's center and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, according to New York Times.
Deadly Strikes Rock Eastern Ukrainian City of Pokrovsk
The mining city of Pokrovsk, situated in the Donetsk region, experienced the brunt of the strikes. The first attack claimed the life of an emergency worker, Andrii Omelchenko, who was heroically responding to the initial assault.
As the city grappled with the aftermath of the first strike, a high-ranking emergency official of the Donetsk region also fell victim to the second attack.
Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of the Donetsk regional military administration, reported that the Russian strikes severely damaged not only residential buildings but also commercial establishments such as shops, restaurants, and a hotel.
The extent of the destruction led rescuers to comb through the rubble in search of survivors, potentially raising the already devastating casualty count.
The attacks have raised concerns about the safety and security of the city's residents. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his concerns and shared videos depicting civilians assisting injured individuals and clearing debris from damaged buildings.
Kyrylenko emphasized the possibility of repeated attacks and urged residents to take shelter to ensure their safety. These strikes come amid broader geopolitical developments and discussions.
Just a day prior to the attacks, representatives from approximately 40 countries convened in Saudi Arabia to explore peaceful resolutions to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
However, the absence of Moscow from these talks has sparked criticism from Russia's Foreign Ministry, deeming the discussions as lacking any substantial value due to the exclusion of Russian participation, The Telegraph via MSN reported.
Ukraine-Russia War
As tensions persist between Ukraine and Russia, the conflict's complexity continues to evolve. The Kremlin has reiterated its willingness to engage in diplomatic solutions but has put forth demands that have been met with resistance.
These demands include Kyiv recognizing Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territories, including Crimea. In contrast, Ukraine stands firm in its call for the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from the occupied areas.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Security Service announced the detention of an alleged Russian informant who collected intelligence about President Zelensky's activities in the southern Mykolaiv region.
The detainee was suspected of gathering information for potential air strikes during Zelensky's visit. Furthermore, reports emerged of Russian shelling targeting a residential building in the city of Kherson, claiming the life of one person and injuring four others.
Regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin described the city's central area as being engulfed in fire due to the Russian attack. In the midst of these developments, the international community continues to monitor the situation and advocate for peaceful resolutions to the ongoing conflict, as per ABC.