KYIV: At least seven people were killed in Russian airstrikes targeting a residential block in the city of Pokrovsk, eastern Ukraine. The strikes, launched on Monday, left a trail of destruction, damaging residential buildings, a hotel, cafes, shops, and administrative structures. The attack occurred just 40 kilometers from the volatile eastern frontline, where Russia claims to be gaining ground against Ukrainian forces.
The devastating assault involved two missiles, fired approximately 40 minutes apart, which tore through the area. Rescue teams tirelessly sifted through the rubble on Tuesday, with a focus on damaged apartments and buildings. Among the structures hit was a five-story building, the wreckage of which was the site of dramatic rescue operations, as survivors were evacuated and wounded individuals were rushed to ambulances.
Tragically, the strike claimed the lives of seven people, including two children, while injuring 81 others. Among the casualties was a high-ranking emergency official from the Donetsk region. The aftermath revealed a harrowing scene of destruction, with buildings partially collapsed and significant damage to infrastructure.
Ukraine’s President Condemns Russian Strike
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, sharing footage on social media that depicted civilians rallying to assist wounded victims and rescue workers tirelessly working to clear debris from a building that had lost its top floor. The footage also highlighted another heavily damaged building in the vicinity.
The city of Pokrovsk, once home to around 60,000 residents prior to the conflict, now bears the scars of violence and destruction. As Ukraine grapples with the ongoing crisis, Russia continues to advance, with reports indicating a recent three-kilometer progress towards Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine, a region that had previously fallen under Ukrainian control.
Diplomatic efforts to address the situation took a significant step forward with a peace summit hosted by Saudi Arabia. Despite Russia’s absence, representatives from numerous countries, including China, India, and the United States, gathered in Jeddah for discussions. While Ukraine expressed satisfaction with the initiative, Moscow dismissed the summit’s impact, emphasizing the need for Russia’s involvement in any diplomatic resolution.
