Russian missile attack on Kiev, 4 killed in Ukraine’s retaliatory drone attack; NATO countries also became target of drones

New Delhi: In the Russia-Ukraine war, once again on Sunday there were horrific attacks between the two countries. Many people have been reported killed and injured in Russian attacks from Ukraine’s capital Kiev to Kharkiv and Zaporizhia. At the same time, there have been reports of civilians being killed in a Ukrainian drone attack in Horlivka, a Ukrainian area occupied by Russia. On Sunday morning, Russia attacked Ukraine’s capital Kiev with missiles. After the blasts, a multi-storey building located near the historical area of ​​the city caught fire.

According to Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, the fire spread to many buildings, vehicles and parking areas due to debris falling after the attack. Three people have been injured in this attack. One of these injured has been admitted to the hospital for treatment. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that drone manufacturing facilities in Kiev were targeted. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had expressed the fear of a major missile attack from Russia.

Kharkiv and Zaporizhia also became targets

There is also news of Russian drone attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city. City Mayor Igor Terekhov said that one person was killed in the attack, while at least six people were injured. Two children are also among the injured. The city of Zaporizhia in southern Ukraine was attacked with a Russian glide bomb. One person lost his life in this attack and six other people are said to be injured. Zaporizhia has been in the grip of frequent Russian attacks and this area is located about 20 kilometers from the front of the war.

Claim of Ukrainian drone strike in Horlivka

Information about Ukrainian drone attack has also come to light in Horlivka city of Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. According to local officials appointed by Russia, four civilians were killed in the attack. The head of the city’s local administration, Ivan Prikhodko, said attacks had continued in the area since early Sunday. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its forces destroyed 133 Ukrainian drones over Russia, the Black Sea and Crimea overnight. Russia captured Crimea in 2014 and included it in its territory. However, Ukraine and most countries of the world do not accept this claim.

Tension increasing due to drone attacks

In recent times, Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on military and energy-related targets inside Russia. Due to these attacks, there have been reports of increased pressure on fuel supplies and military logistics in Russia. On the other hand, Russia is also continuously targeting Ukrainian cities with missile and drone attacks. On Friday, at least 10 people were killed in a major attack by Russia near Kiev, while about 100 people were injured.

The increasing attacks between the two countries are taking place at a time when efforts are being made to negotiate at the diplomatic level to end the war. There is a possibility that these efforts will be set back due to continuous attacks. Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Sunday that Ukraine’s position is now stronger than before since the war started. He described it as extremely important for Ukraine to continue receiving support from its allies.

Romania downed its third drone in three days

Meanwhile, NATO member Romania shot down the third drone that entered its airspace within three days. Romanian President Nicolas Dan described the incident as extremely serious and unacceptable. He said that on Sunday morning, an F-16 fighter plane of the Romanian Air Force shot down a drone over the country’s territorial waters. A day before this, a drone that had entered Romania from the direction of Ukraine was shot down in an area away from the population. Also on Friday, a drone was destroyed in the north-eastern area of ​​the capital Bucharest.

According to the President, the investigation of the drone that was downed on Friday confirmed that it was of Shahed category. Russia has been using such drones during attacks on Ukraine. Since Russia’s massive attack in February 2022, Russian and Ukrainian drones have been seen several times near the borders and airspace of other NATO countries, including Romania.