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The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, marked by a series of retaliatory strikes and increasing civilian casualties. According to Ukraine's foreign minister, Russia has responded to the destruction of its aircraft by targeting civilian infrastructure within Ukraine, resulting in multi-story buildings being hit and energy infrastructure damaged. This escalation follows Ukrainian operations, such as 'Operation Spiderweb,' where strategic bomber aircraft on the ground were destroyed using quadcopter drones deployed from trucks. The use of drones in both offensive and defensive capacities underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare and the increasing reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles. The recent barrage of Russian missiles and drones against Kyiv resulted in the tragic loss of at least six lives, according to Ukrainian officials. Among the victims were three emergency workers who were killed in a repeat Russian strike while responding to an earlier attack. These incidents highlight the deliberate targeting of first responders, a disturbing trend in conflict zones that hinders humanitarian efforts and exacerbates the suffering of civilians. Further attacks in the northern city of Chernihiv and the north-western city of Lutsk resulted in additional casualties and injuries, with reports indicating that eighty people were injured in attacks across Ukraine. The widespread nature of these attacks underscores the vulnerability of Ukrainian cities and the challenges faced by the country's air defense systems. In response to the escalating drone threat, Russian aviation authorities have restricted flights at Moscow regional airports, indicating the capital's vulnerability to Ukrainian drone attacks. This marked the third suspension of flights in recent days, demonstrating the ongoing and persistent nature of the threat. The Russian defense ministry reported that at least 82 Ukrainian drones targeted areas including the Moscow region over an eight-and-a-half-hour period, further illustrating the scale and intensity of the drone attacks. The Moscow mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, confirmed that another six drones had been headed for the capital, highlighting the continued threat to the city's security. In addition to the drone attacks on Moscow, the Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for striking the Engels and Dyagilevo airfields in the Russian regions of Saratov and Ryazan, as well as targeting at least three fuel reservoirs. Footage circulating online showed a large fire and smoke at a fuel facility serving a military site in Russia's Saratov region, which has been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks. BBC Verify confirmed the authenticity of these videos, and NASA satellite fire monitoring also detected significant fires at Engels, providing independent corroboration of the Ukrainian claims. These attacks on Russian airfields and fuel depots demonstrate Ukraine's ability to project force beyond its borders and disrupt Russia's military operations. Zelenskyy has called for concerted pressure on Russia, emphasizing that a lack of action emboldens Russia and prolongs the conflict, resulting in further loss of life. He stated that 'if someone is not applying pressure and is giving the war more time to take lives, that is complicity and accountability. We must act decisively.' Zelenskyy's plea for increased pressure on Russia reflects the Ukrainian government's belief that a united and determined international response is essential to deter further aggression and ultimately bring an end to the conflict. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has far-reaching consequences for regional stability and international security. The escalating violence, the targeting of civilians, and the use of advanced weaponry, such as drones and missiles, raise serious concerns about the potential for further escalation and the long-term impact on the region. The international community must continue to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict, while also holding those responsible for war crimes and human rights violations accountable.
Source: Ukraine war briefing: We bomb their warplanes, they bomb our civilians, says foreign minister