Russian missile hits Ukrainian president’s hometown amid mourning deaths

In a tragic turn of events, a Russian missile struck Kryvyi Rih, the home city of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Wednesday. This attack came on an official day of mourning for the four civilians who lost their lives in a missile strike the previous day on a local hotel.

The recent missile hit civilian infrastructure and resulted in injuries to eight individuals, as reported by the head of the local administration, Oleksandr Vilkul, through social media. This incident adds to the ongoing distress in the area.

The earlier attack on Tuesday also caused injuries to five people, contributing to an escalating series of missile and drone strikes across Ukraine that have been launched by Russia for the second consecutive day.

Regional head Serhii Lysak expressed his outrage on social media, stating, “When Kryvyi Rih is in mourning, the enemy attacks again. And it once again aims at civilians.” The intensity of these assaults underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Starting on Monday, Russia initiated a substantial bombing campaign, firing over 100 missiles alongside an equal number of drones, marking its largest offensive in recent weeks. This ramp-up in attacks corresponds with a critical phase in the ongoing war, which began on February 24, 2022.

At this moment, Russian forces are advancing further into Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, a primary target for the Kremlin. Control over this area is vital, and Russian troops are reportedly closing in on Pokrovsk, an essential logistics hub for Ukrainian defense operations.

In response to the aggression, Ukraine has been taking bold measures, including sending its forces into the Kursk region of Russia in a significant incursion that has not been seen since World War II. This strategy aims to compel Russia to divert troops from the Donetsk front, thereby easing pressure on Ukrainian defenses.

The rescue operations in Kryvyi Rih have concluded, with rescuers discovering the last body buried under the rubble of the hotel that was struck. The devastating impact of the missile strikes continues to resonate throughout the community.

In the midst of these tragic developments, Ukraine claims to have successfully destroyed a Russian Su-25 aircraft in the Donetsk region, highlighting ongoing resistance against Russian forces.

Furthermore, Ukraine has persistently conducted long-range drone operations targeting Russian logistical bases. Among these operations was an attack on an oil depot located in Russia’s Rostov region, which Ukrainian military intelligence claimed responsibility for. In addition, there was an unprecedented strike on the Kirov region, where three Ukrainian drones reportedly crashed near an oil depot, as stated by Kirov governor Alexander Sokolov. This region is approximately 950 kilometers, or about 600 miles, northeast of the Ukrainian border.

The situation remains tense as both sides continue to engage in offensive and defensive operations, with civilian areas suffering significant damage amid an ongoing barrage of attacks. The developments in Kryvyi Rih reflect the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing many communities as a result of the military conflict.