KYIV: Russian airstrikes against Ukraine on Friday claimed the lives of at least eight people, including two children, while Kyiv reported the downing of a Russian strategic bomber for the first time.
Moscow attributed the crash of a military plane to a technical malfunction during its return to base from a combat mission. However, Ukraine celebrated the symbolic victory of shooting down a Russian bomber used for launching cruise missiles, amidst ongoing Russian aerial assaults since the invasion two years ago.
The latest strikes in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region resulted in further casualties and destruction. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba lamented the loss of innocent lives, emphasizing the tragic deaths of a 14-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy.
Sergiy Lysak, the head of the affected region, revised the death toll downward, stating that medics managed to save a six-year-old boy previously reported as killed. However, twelve people sustained injuries from the strikes on the Synelnykivsky area and the regional capital of Dnipro.
The attacks, which also targeted railway facilities, drew condemnation from Kyiv, with calls for better protection against such atrocities, especially for children.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated pleas for increased support from Western allies, urging the deployment of air defense systems to safeguard Ukrainian communities facing terror.
Zelensky visited troops and inspected fortifications in the eastern Donetsk region, amidst concerns over Russian advances due to Ukraine’s shortages in manpower and ammunition.
In Washington, the US House of Representatives prepared for a pivotal vote on a $61 billion military aid package aimed at bolstering Ukrainian forces.
Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed the downing of a Russian Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber during a combat mission, marking the first such instance. The aircraft, returning from firing missiles at Ukraine, crashed in the southern Stavropol region, with one confirmed casualty among the crew.
Russian authorities attributed the crash to technical issues, with search efforts ongoing for the remaining crew members. The downing occurred approximately 300 kilometers from Ukraine’s borders.
Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 22 missiles and 14 drones overnight, including those launched from the downed strategic bomber. Despite the onslaught, all unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralized, along with 15 missiles.
