Reports from authorities on Friday confirmed that Ukraine had launched an assault on Russia’s southern border region of Belgorod, deploying artillery fire, mortar shells, and drones. This follows a recent drone attack on a Russian city adjacent to the annexed Crimea Peninsula.
Concurrently, Moscow’s forces have reportedly struck a psychology and veterinary clinic in Dnipro, a city in the heart of Ukraine. As stated by Ukrainian officials, the unfortunate incident led to the death of two individuals and injured 30, including two children.
Footage unveiled by regional Governor Serhiy Lysak captures a massive fire consuming a three-story building, leaving only a fragment of a wall standing while firefighters combat the blaze.
In the meantime, a Russian S-300 missile struck a dam in Donetsk province’s Karlivka district in eastern Ukraine, posing a flood risk to nearby settlements.
The Belgorod region’s town of Graivoron, located approximately 7 kilometres (more than 4 miles) from the Ukrainian border, experienced several hours of shelling, causing damage to four residences, a store, a vehicle, a gas pipeline, and a power line, as reported by Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
Closer to the border, a recreation center, a shop, and an uninhabited house in the village of Glotovo were also damaged. Gladkov also reported a woman wounded due to shelling in the nearby town of Novaya Tavolzhanka.
Earlier this week, the Belgorod region experienced a severe cross-border attack from Ukraine, one of the most severe since the conflict began 15 months ago. The exact circumstances surrounding the raid remain unclear. While Russia accuses the Ukrainian armed forces, two Russian groups claim involvement, aiming to overthrow Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Two drone strikes were reported in Krasnodar, a southern Russian city neighbouring Crimea. Local witnesses reported hearing what sounded like a moped, followed by two explosions. The impact left a hole in the roof of one building and shattered windows in an apartment building.
Krasnodar’s regional Governor, Veniamin Kondratyev and Mayor, Yevgeny Naumov, reported no casualties but confirmed damage to some buildings while essential infrastructure remained intact.
Drone attacks on Russian border regions have increased since the invasion began in February 2022, with a noted rise in assaults last month. Earlier this month, a Krasnodar oil refinery was targeted by drones on two consecutive days.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry recently released a video of a marine drone headed towards Russia’s Ivan Khurs reconnaissance ship in the Black Sea. However, the video does not show the drone striking the vessel.
On Friday, the Ukrainian president’s office reported that Russian attacks over the previous 24 hours had resulted in at least two civilian deaths and injured three others.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, Li Hui, China’s special envoy, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed “the situation around Ukraine and prospects for resolving the conflict,” as per the Russian Foreign Ministry. The ministry’s statement also mentions Ukraine’s alleged obstacles to peace talks but does not disclose any further details from the meeting.
Earlier this month, Li visited Kyiv, and despite Beijing’s claimed neutrality and offer to mediate, China has shown political support for Moscow. Beijing’s proposed peace plan in February has largely been dismissed by Ukraine’s allies, who insist on Russian President Vladimir Putin withdrawing his forces as a preliminary step.
As this conflict continues, Ukraine and Russia face significant challenges and losses, with civilian populations bearing the brunt of the escalating violence. The international community looks on, urging for a peaceful resolution and an end to hostilities. It is hoped that diplomatic negotiations can pave the way to ceasefires and potentially resolve this protracted conflict.
