Title: Russian Missile Strike on Theatre in Ukraine Leaves Seven Dead and Dozens Injured
Date: 19/08/2023
At least seven people have been killed and over 125 others injured in a Russian missile strike on a theatre in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv. Among the casualties are a number of children, according to officials. The attack occurred while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was on his first foreign trip since attending a NATO summit in Lithuania.
Images of the aftermath reveal extensive damage to buildings, including a theatre with its roof blown away, as well as mangled cars and survivors walking amidst debris with bloodstained clothes. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed that a 6-year-old girl was among the deceased, while 15 children were among the 129 wounded.
The theatre was targeted during a gathering of drone manufacturers and aerial reconnaissance training schools, which had been officially agreed upon in advance with local authorities and the venue, according to organizer Mariia Berlinska. However, the Chernihiv City Council denied approving the event or issuing any permits.
President Zelenskyy condemned the attack, labeling Russia a “terrorist state” and calling for global unity against it. In a Telegram message, he wrote, “A Russian missile hit right in the center of the city, in our Chernihiv. A square, the polytechnic university, a theater. An ordinary Saturday, which Russia turned into a day of pain and loss.”
In another development, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the generals in charge of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in Rostov-on-Don, southern Russia. The exact timing of the meeting was not specified, but images broadcast by state media suggest it took place during the night. Putin received reports from the chief of staff of the Russian armed forces, Valery Gerasimov, sector commanders, and other officials.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military announced that it had intercepted and destroyed “15 Russian drones” overnight. The Ukrainian army reported that Russian forces launched a total of 17 attack drones from the Kursk region, with the remaining fate of two drones unknown. Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense was activated in various regions of the country.
In response to Ukraine’s request for Western aircraft to combat Russian forces, the United States has given the green light for Denmark and the Netherlands to send American F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine once Ukrainian pilots have completed their training. This development has been hailed as “great news” by the Ukrainian defense minister. The United States has strict rules regarding the resale or transfer of American military equipment by allies, and the timeline for the completion of Ukrainian pilots’ training is yet to be determined.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has seen regular drone incursions by both sides. Ukraine is currently engaged in a counter-offensive to reclaim its Russian-controlled territory, while Moscow has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s Black Sea and Danube port infrastructure since the termination of an agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports.
How can the international community work together to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and prevent further civilian casualties
Rder to sow terror and chaos. These actions are unacceptable and will not go unanswered. We stand united against this aggression.”
The Russian government has not yet commented on the incident. However, Ukraine has accused Russia of carrying out the missile strike, claiming that it is part of a wider pattern of aggression and destabilization in the region. The Ukrainian authorities have called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the situation.
The international community has expressed shock and outrage at the attack. The European Union, NATO, and the United States have all condemned the missile strike and called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions. The U.S. State Department issued a statement saying, “We stand with our Ukrainian partners and strongly condemn this senseless act of violence. Russia must be held accountable for its actions.”
This incident marks a further escalation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has been ongoing since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. Despite numerous ceasefires and diplomatic efforts, the situation in Eastern Ukraine remains volatile, with frequent clashes between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists.
The missile strike on the theatre in Chernihiv is a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on civilians. Innocent people, including children, continue to suffer the consequences of this protracted and unresolved dispute. The international community must come together to find a peaceful resolution and prevent further loss of life.
