Title: Russia Strikes at Capital Kyiv and Across Ukraine, Ukrainian Counteroffensive Shows Progress
Date: June 20, 2023
Russia launched a series of attacks on military and infrastructure targets in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and other parts of the country, including western areas far from the front lines, according to Ukrainian officials. The strikes occurred as Ukrainian forces reported progress in their counteroffensive in the east and south.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have destroyed eight ammunition warehouses across Ukraine and repelled Ukrainian attacks in three different directions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office reported multiple waves of drone attacks on the Kyiv region over a span of more than four hours.
In response, 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.
While Ukraine has focused its actions on Russia’s defensive positions in the south and east, aiming to push back President Vladimir Putin’s troops from the territories seized since the invasion in February 2022, the recent strikes by Russia demonstrated its capability to wage war beyond the southern and eastern front lines.
General Oleksander Syrskyi, Ukraine’s commander of land forces, stated that Ukrainian forces were making progress on 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 highlighted the gradual progress made by Ukrainian forces in the south, stating that they were confidently advancing and 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 Defense Ministry claimed that Ukrainian forces attempted to attack the Russian-held eastern city of Donetsk and the southern Zaporizhzhia region but were repelled. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu alleged that Russia had information about 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, potentially dragging the United States and Britain into the conflict.
Despite Ukraine’s claims of recapturing eight villages and its pursuit of peace talks, the Kremlin expressed skepticism about the chances of negotiations due to Kyiv’s demand for a total withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine before any peacemaking. Russia argues that it is seeking to eliminate security threats posed by Ukraine’s integration with the West, while Kyiv and its Western supporters accuse Russia of waging an unprovoked war of conquest.
It is important to note that the reports mentioned in this article could not be independently verified by Reuters.
ukraine war map today
Al information indicates that Russia’s recent strikes in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and across the country have shown the extent of its military capabilities. Ukrainian officials have reported attacks on military and infrastructure targets in Kyiv, as well as in western areas far from the front lines. These strikes came at a time when Ukrainian forces were making progress in their counteroffensive in the east and south.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, they destroyed eight ammunition warehouses across Ukraine and repelled Ukrainian attacks in multiple directions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office has reported waves of drone attacks on the Kyiv region over a span of more than four hours.
In response, Ukrainian forces targeted the Russian-controlled town of Nova Kakhovka in the southern Kherson region with drones, resulting in casualties among civilians, according to local authorities appointed by Russia.
It is important to note that Ukraine’s focus has been on pushing back Russian troops from the territories seized since the invasion in February 2022. However, these recent strikes by Russia indicate its ability to wage war beyond the southern and eastern front lines.
The situation in Ukraine remains a humanitarian, social, and economic crisis for the Ukrainian people. The conflict continues to have devastating consequences, and the international community must address the policy challenges arising from Russia’s war against Ukraine. Efforts to de-escalate the conflict and find a peaceful resolution are crucial for the well-being and stability of the region.