Tragedy Strikes as Deadly Shelling Hits Market in Russian-Occupied Ukraine
In a devastating turn of events, at least 25 people lost their lives on Sunday due to shelling at a market on the outskirts of Donetsk, a city in Russian-occupied Ukraine. The incident occurred in the suburb of Tekstilshchik, leaving an additional 20 individuals injured, including two children. Denis Pushilin, the head of the Russian-installed authorities in Donetsk, stated that the shells responsible for the attack were fired by the Ukrainian military. However, Kyiv has not yet commented on the event, and the claims made by Pushilin have not been independently verified by The Associated Press.
Emergency services are currently working tirelessly at the scene to provide aid and support, as confirmed by Pushilin.
Fire Breaks Out at Russian Port Following Explosions
Simultaneously, a fire broke out at a chemical transport terminal located at Russia’s Ust-Luga port. This incident was preceded by two explosions, according to regional officials. Local media outlets reported that Ukrainian drones had attacked the port, resulting in a gas tank explosion.
The port, situated 165 kilometers southwest of St. Petersburg, is operated by Novatek, Russia’s second-largest natural gas producer. In a press statement to Russian media outlet RBC, Novatek stated that the fire was caused by an “external influence.” As a precautionary measure, operations at the port have been temporarily halted.
Yuri Zapalatsky, the head of Russia’s Kingisepp district where the port is located, assured the public that no casualties had been reported. However, the area has been placed on high alert. Reports from news outlet Fontanka indicated that two drones were detected flying towards St. Petersburg on Sunday morning but were redirected towards the Kingisepp district. The authenticity of these reports could not be independently verified by The Associated Press. Notably, the Russian Ministry of Defense did not mention any drone activity in the Kingisepp area during its daily briefing. However, it did confirm the downing of four Ukrainian drones in Russia’s Smolensk region, along with two more in the Oryol and Tula regions. Previously, Russian officials had acknowledged the downing of a Ukrainian drone on the outskirts of St. Petersburg on Thursday.
Front Line Update: Russian Forces Seize Control of Village in Ukraine
On the front line, Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday that its forces had successfully taken control of the village of Krokhmalne in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. Ukrainian forces confirmed the occupation but described it as a “temporary phenomenon.” Volodymyr Fityo, spokesperson for Ukrainian Ground Forces Command, explained that Kyiv’s troops had been strategically withdrawn to pre-prepared reserve positions. Fityo also revealed that Krokhmalne had a population of approximately 45 people before the full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022. He emphasized that their main objective was to prioritize the safety and well-being of Ukraine’s defenders.
Ongoing Conflict and Intensified Attacks
The conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues to persist along the roughly 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) front line. Throughout the winter, both sides have engaged in fighting from relatively static positions. Recent Russian attacks have aimed to exploit potential vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s defenses by employing a large number of missiles, including drones, in an apparent attempt to overwhelm air defense systems. According to officials in Kyiv, over 500 drones and missiles were fired between December 29 and January 2 alone. These relentless barrages have also resulted in a significant depletion of Ukraine’s weapons stockpiles.
As the war in Ukraine rages on, it is essential to closely monitor the developments and their impact on the lives of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.