At least 28 dead in Ukrainian shelling of occupied city, says Russia

Ukrainian shelling reportedly kills at least 28 individuals in Lysychansk, an eastern city under occupation

In the eastern occupied city of Lysychansk, Ukrainian shelling claimed the lives of at least 28 people, with over 10 others wounded and ongoing rescue operations, according to Russia.

Moscow’s occupation forces asserted Kyiv targeted a popular bakery on weekends in this attack, occurring almost two years into Russia’s Ukraine offensive. Lysychansk, located in the Lugansk region, fell to Russian forces following a fierce battle in the summer of 2022. 

The Russian emergency ministry shared on Telegram that 28 bodies were recovered from the rubble in Lysychansk, with a video showing rescuers working in the dark to extract victims.

The rescue efforts included finding a wounded woman alive amid the debris. The Moscow-installed governor of Lugansk, Leonid Pasechnik, claimed that the target was a bakery known for fresh bread on weekends. 

Russia’s foreign ministry asserted that Western weapons were used in the attack and anticipated “quick and unconditional condemnation” from international organizations. The front in eastern Ukraine has seen little movement, but winter has brought intensified attacks on both sides.

Simultaneously, Kyiv reported a fresh barrage of Iranian-made drones from Russia targeting energy facilities in the central Dnipropetrovsk region. 

Russia-controlled authorities mentioned a wounded man in “serious condition” taken to a hospital in Lugansk. Lysychansk, situated about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from Ukrainian-controlled territory, was seized by Russia in 2022.

In response, Ukraine claimed to have downed nine out of 14 Iranian-made drones launched by Russia, primarily directed at energy facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, leaving thousands without power. 

President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Ukraine’s security services for their actions against Moscow’s forces outside the battlefield. Ukraine recently asserted the destruction of a Russian warship off the Crimea peninsula, while Russia claimed a Ukrainian drone strike caused a fire at an oil refinery in southern Russia.

Zelensky emphasized Russia feels the consequences of Ukraine’s actions, citing increased security in the Black Sea region as Russian naval presence diminishes. 

Source: AFP