MOSCOW: Ukrainian and Russian forces engaged in drone and artillery clashes on Thursday, leaving at least seven dead, reported by regional officials from both sides of the frontline.
The escalation in civilian casualties comes as the Russian military intensified its operations in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, ahead of upcoming events in Moscow on May 9 hailing the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.
According to officials, a Ukrainian attack drone caused two fatalities in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, while two more persons were killed by Ukrainian artillery fire in the southern Kherson region.
Despite the Kremlin’s claim of annexing both regions in late 2022, Russian forces continue to battle for full control.
Evgeny Balitsky, the Russian-appointed head of Zaporizhzhia, lamented the loss of life, stating that a strike on a civilian vehicle resulted in the deaths of a man and a woman, leaving their four young children orphaned. He assured that the children would receive care and psychological support.
In a separate statement, Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed head of the Kherson region, confirmed two additional fatalities due to a Ukrainian fire in the village of Dnipryany.
Both Zaporizhzhia and Kherson witnessed intense fighting in 2022 and the summer of 2023, particularly as Ukraine launched a counteroffensive that fell short of expectations in Zaporizhzhia. Currently, the focal point of conflict has shifted to the eastern Donetsk region, which Moscow also claims as Russian territory.
Vadim Filashkin, the Ukrainian-appointed head of the Donetsk region, reported three fatalities resulting from shelling in the villages of Udachne and Kurakhivka, with two and one casualties respectively.
