By The newspaper
01 Nov 2023, 18:15 PM EDT
Russia has unleashed a devastating wave of attacks on Ukrainian territory in just 24 hours.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that more than 100 cities and towns bore the brunt of Russian aggression in a single day, marking an unprecedented level of violence in the ongoing conflict.
According to a Telegram post by Klymenko, the intense shelling unfolded over a 24-hour period and affected 118 Ukrainian settlements. This wave of violence surprises many, as this year it exceeds the attacks of any previous day.
The attacks were not limited to a single region, as Klymenko highlights, 10 of Ukraine’s 27 regions were attacked. The attack took place predominantly in areas close to the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine, the BBC mentions.
Of particular concern is the strategically important town of Avdiivka in the eastern Donetsk region. It has been the focal point of Russia’s military firepower for weeks.
Local leader Vitaliy Barabash paints a grim picture, claiming that Avdiivka is being “wiped out” and has endured more than 40 massive bombings in the past day. Tragically, two civilians have lost their lives.
As shown in some videos published on social networks, the situation in Avdiivka is delicate and it is feared that Russia is preparing for a third wave of its offensive. Ukraine believes Russia is strengthening its presence in an attempt to surround and capture the city.
In response, Ukrainian forces managed to repel 20 attacks in the Avdiivka area in a single day, highlighting the intensity of the conflict.
The attack was not limited to Avdiivka. Russia also stepped up its attacks on Kupyansk, a city in the northeastern Kharkiv region. In addition, it sought to prevent Ukrainian forces from recovering territory around Bakhmut.
In addition to frontline areas, attacks occurred against civilian targets. The target was a block of flats, shops and a pharmacy in the southern city of Nikopol, located on the banks of the Dnieper River.
In Kremenchuk, a Russian drone set fire to a disused oil refinery. This refinery, located in the central Poltava region, had previously been the target of Russian attacks and remained under threat.
Ukraine’s counteroffensive
Despite Ukraine’s attempts to counter Russian aggression, the nation has made limited progress in recapturing territory occupied by Russian forces in the south and east. This has raised concerns about Western fatigue in the face of the protracted conflict.
In response to these developments, US President Joe Biden’s administration has sought congressional approval for a substantial $106 billion package to support both Ukraine and Israel.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has emphasized the importance of US support, warning that without it, Vladimir Putin’s goals can be realized.
For his part, President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, acknowledging the challenges they face, but also praising the military’s success in reducing Russia’s control over the Black Sea.
Recent Ukrainian attacks have forced most of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to withdraw from occupied Crimea. Ukraine is working to establish a secure export corridor for civilian vessels to transport grain along the Black Sea coast.
Despite the challenges, the shipping corridor continues to operate under the protection of the Ukrainian defense forces.
Keep reading:
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