Five people were confirmed dead following a series of drone strikes exchanged between Ukraine and Russia late Saturday night, intensifying the conflict that has been ongoing since 2022. Ukrainian officials reported that Russia launched over 200 drones and nearly 30 missiles, mainly impacting the Dnipropetrovsk region, where three fatalities occurred. Meanwhile, a drone strike on Rostov in Russia resulted in two deaths after a car ignited in the aftermath.
The escalation comes on the heels of conflicting military claims, with Russia asserting control over the Donetsk village of Zelenyi Hai and the Dnipropetrovsk village of Maliivka. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky maintained that Ukrainian forces are gradually pushing back Russian advances, particularly in the Sumy region, reinforcing Ukraine's commitment to retaliate against strikes that target their territory.
"These actions cannot go unanswered," Zelensky said in a statement on X, referring to the ongoing Russian drone assaults. He emphasized that Ukraine's long-range drones represent a retaliation indicative of the war's return impact on Russia. Strikes affected both residential blocks and crucial infrastructure in Dnipro, with several injuries reported.
In the Donetsk region, intense clashes were reported, particularly in the Pokrovsk area, where Ukrainian forces defended their positions amid persistent hostility. As drones were exchanged throughout the night, the recent ceasefire talks held in Istanbul yielded no substantial resolution, with both sides accusing each other of undermining peace efforts.
The situation remains dire, as Ukraine and Russia continue to engage in military operations while grappling with the human cost of their relentless conflict.
