Russia Launches Strikes on Ukrainian Capital and Expands Offensive Across the Country

Title: Russia Strikes at Capital Kyiv and Across Ukraine, Ukrainian Forces Report Progress in Counteroffensive

Date: June 20, 2023

In a major escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia launched military strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and various other parts of the country, including western areas far from the front lines. Ukrainian officials confirmed the attacks, which targeted military and infrastructure sites.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy commended Ukraine’s air defenses for successfully downing over 30 drones and boldly stated that Ukrainian forces were actively destroying Russian troops in the two main conflict zones, the east and south. The commander of land forces and the deputy defense minister also reported successes in the ongoing counteroffensive in both areas.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have destroyed eight ammunition warehouses across Ukraine in the previous 24 hours and repelled Ukrainian attacks in three areas. Ukrainian forces reportedly attempted to attack the Russian-held eastern city of Donetsk and the southern Zaporizhzhia region but were repelled.

According to Zelenskiy’s office, drones launched multiple waves of attacks on the Kyiv region over a span of more than four hours. Additionally, Ukrainian forces targeted the Russian-controlled town of Nova Kakhovka in the southern Kherson region with drones, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to four civilians, as reported by local Russian-appointed authorities.

The Russian strikes occurred as Ukraine focused on its own actions against Russia’s defensive positions in the south and east, marking the initial stages of a counteroffensive aimed at pushing back President Vladimir Putin’s troops from the territories seized since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukraine claims to have recaptured 113 square kilometers (44 square miles) of land and eight settlements from Russian forces. However, the recent strikes by Russia demonstrated their capability to wage war beyond the front lines.

In his video address, President Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukrainian forces were actively destroying the enemy in the south and east, aiming to physically cleanse Ukraine from the threat of terrorism. General Oleksander Syrskyi, Ukraine’s commander of land forces, reported progress in the flanks of the shattered eastern city of Bakhmut, which fell to Russian mercenaries last month after months of fighting. Ukrainian troops were also successfully repelling increasingly intense Russian attacks near Kupiansk in the northeast.

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar stated that Ukrainian forces in the south were gradually making confident advances, likening their progress to carving up every meter of land from the enemy. Maliar also accused Russian forces of mining vast areas, including towns, and Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, accused Russia of mining the pond used to cool reactors at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The Russian drone attacks on the Kyiv area resulted in damage to several commercial and administrative buildings, as well as private houses. However, there were no reports of casualties from the overnight air strikes. In Lviv, a critically important facility was struck, despite being far from the front lines and approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the border with Poland, according to regional governor Maksym Kozytskiy.

The Ukrainian air force reported that Ukrainian air defenses were active, primarily in the Kyiv region, where they successfully destroyed more than two dozen Iranian-made Shahed drones. Falling debris from the drones damaged power lines in the Kyiv region and the Mykolaiv region in the south, resulting in power outages for hundreds of residents.

Russia also targeted infrastructure in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia with Iskander and S-300 missiles, according to the Ukrainian military. Ukraine reported that Russia fired seven missiles at Zaporizhzhia. However, these reports could not be independently verified by Reuters.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed that Moscow had information suggesting Ukraine’s plans to strike Russian-controlled Crimea with longer-range U.S. and British missiles. Shoigu warned that Russia would retaliate if such an attack occurred, stating that it would lead to immediate strikes on decision-making centers in Ukraine. Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 but considers it to be outside the scope of its ongoing military operation in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Shoigu also mentioned that Ukrainian armed forces had carried out 263 attacks on Russian forces’ positions since June 4, which Moscow considers the start of Ukraine’s counteroffensive. However, he claimed that Ukraine had not accomplished its goals. Ukraine, on the other hand, stated that it had recaptured eight villages.

The situation remains tense as both sides continue to engage in military actions and counteractions. The conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, with the potential for further escalation and international involvement.

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Ortant city in western Ukraine, authorities reported an increase in military activities, including the deployment of Russian troops near the border. Local residents expressed concern about the escalating violence and the potential for further attacks.

The international community has condemned Russia’s actions, with the United States and European Union expressing support for Ukraine and calling on Russia to immediately cease its aggression. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation, but no concrete actions were taken.

As the conflict intensifies, the situation remains fluid and the potential for further escalation and casualties looms. Both sides are escalating their military actions, with Ukraine determined to push back Russian forces and reclaim its territory, while Russia continues to target strategic sites in Ukraine. The consequences of this conflict extend beyond the borders of Ukraine, impacting regional stability and posing a threat to international security.

It is imperative for the international community to take decisive action to deescalate the situation and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Diplomatic efforts must be intensified, and pressure must be applied on Russia to adhere to international norms and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty. Only through a united and concerted effort can the ongoing violence be ended and a lasting peace be achieved in the region.