In the past 24 hours, Russian forces have launched nine airstrikes and 19 rocket attacks against the Ukrainian cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk – 13 of them using S-300 systems. At least nine civilians were killed and 21 injured in Sloviansk, according to regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko. Particularly tragic: the youngest victim was only two years old.
Currently, the probability of missile strikes throughout Ukraine is high. The Russians concentrate their main efforts on advancing towards Limansk, Bakhmut, Avdiyvka and Mariynsk. Sloviansk was hit particularly hard. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed deep dismay and told Russia: “The diabolical state once again demonstrates its essence.”
Zelenskyy on Russia: “This is a bad state”
He offered his condolences to the family and wrote in a post accompanied by images of a damaged building: “He (Russian President Vladimir Putin – ed.) Just kills people in broad daylight. Ruin, destroy all life.” In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said not a single hour had “passed without Russian killings and terror” leading up to Orthodox Easter services this weekend. “This is a bad state,” the president repeated, “and it will be the loser. Victory is our duty to this kind of humanity.”
Condominiums and private homes have been damaged
Governor Kyrylenko stated on state television that seven Russian S-300 missiles had been fired. An S-300 missile damaged five apartment buildings and five private homes. Seven people are being searched for in the rubble. Sloviansk is located in the Ukrainian-controlled part of the Donetsk region, about 45 kilometers northwest of the city of Bakhmut, which has been the subject of heated debate for months. According to Russian military information, soldiers from the Wagner mercenary group, considered particularly vicious, advanced further into the city on Friday. Meanwhile, Kiev sent reinforcements to Bakhmut.
The Donetsk region is one of four Ukrainian regions that Putin announced it would annex in September, though Moscow has only partial control over the regions. Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in February last year, Russian attacks have also been directed against civilian infrastructure there. There were also civilian casualties.
Prime Minister: The counter-offensive will take place soon
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced additional aid pledges worth $5 billion after a week of talks in Washington. He spoke on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank with representatives of those two institutions, as well as the European Investment Bank and senior US officials. “The international partners have assured us of their long-term support,” said Schmyhal.
He also assured that Kiev would launch a counter-offensive in the near future – nothing could thwart their plans. “Our goal is victory, our goal is the liberation of Ukrainian territories within the 1991 borders,” he continued.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
