United States officials reported that Russia deployed powerful hypersonic missiles on Ukraine, the first known use of such sophisticated weapons in a war, as confirmed by Russian media.
Russia launched hypersonic Kinzhal missiles into military ammunition storage in western Ukraine, demolishing the complex near the Ukrainian village of Delyatin, Russia's Ministry of Defense.
Some sources believe that the missile attacks are Russia's way of showcasing the capabilities of its arsenal, according to CNN.
Hypersonic missiles can travel at Mach 5 speed and above and dodge missile defense systems.
Russia's Interfax news agency reported that the Russian military deployed the hypersonic Kinzhal system since it started attacking Ukraine on Feb. 24., which was confirmed by Russian defense ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov.
Konashenkov said on Saturday that the Kinzhal missile system "with hypersonic aero ballistic missiles" destroyed Ukraine's large underground storage in Deliatyn, which contains "missiles and aviation ammunition."
Russian forces also utilized the anti-ship missile system Bastion in its attack on a Ukrainian military infrastructure near the Black Sea port of Odesa, according to Al Jazeera.
The Pentagon has prioritized the development of hypersonic weapons as China and Russia are working on their prototypes.
UN Report: 850 Civilians Killed in Ukraine Due to Missile Strikes, Explosives
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reported on Saturday that no less than 847 civilians, including 64 children, have been killed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started.
The number indicates an increase of 31 deaths in comparison to the last daily update published on Friday, as per CNN.The number of injuries among civilians is 1,339, which includes 78children. The agency believes that the actual number may be higher than what has been reported.
The OHCHR said the majority of the civilian casualties recorded were due to "the use of explosive weapons" with wide-range impact, "including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems, and missile and airstrikes."
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Millions of Children Fled Ukraine At Risk of Human Trafficking
UNICEF reported that around 1.5 million children fled Ukraine, and "countless others" have been displaced in the war-torn country since the Russian attacks started in late February.
Afshan Khan, UNICEF's regional director for Europe and Central Asia, said that the ongoing war in Ukraine leads to "massive displacement and refugee flows," and such a situation could lead to a surge in human trafficking activities and "an acute child protection crisis," CBS News reported.
"Displaced children are extremely vulnerable to being separated from their families, exploited, and trafficked," Khan added, calling for increased efforts from governments in the region to protect affected children.UNICEF also urged Ukraine's neighbors to strengthen child protection inspections at the country's borders and at critical sites where refugees cross through, such as railway stations.
"UNICEF is calling on governments to improve cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange between and among border control, law enforcement and child protection authorities and to quickly identify separated children, implement family tracing and reunification procedures for children deprived of parental care," according to the statement posted on the agency's website.
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