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Ukraine war: Attack on Belgorod shopping centre in Russia near border

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The governor of the Belgorod region reported that an air attack in the Russian city resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and injuries to eighteen others. Videos on social media depicted ambulances outside a damaged shopping center with broken windows. Russian authorities stated that their air defense systems intercepted 14 Ukrainian missiles over the Belgorod region, with one missile striking a shopping center and another hitting a sports stadium.

Belgorod, situated approximately 30km from the Ukrainian border, has frequently been targeted by Ukrainian forces since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began nearly two years ago. This recent attack follows a previous drone and rocket strike in December that claimed 25 lives and injured 100, marking the deadliest assault on Belgorod thus far.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Russia launched 26 missiles at Ukraine, resulting in the death of a woman in Chuguyiv and multiple injuries. Meanwhile, the battle for the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka continues, with Ukrainian soldiers expressing concerns over shortages of weapons and ammunition.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg cautioned that the US’s failure to approve continued military assistance to Ukraine is impacting the battlefield. Avdiivka holds strategic importance as a gateway to the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk and has been a focal point of conflict since the onset of the eastern Ukrainian conflict in 2014.

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Ukraine war: Military chiefs in Kyiv under pressure over deadly Russian strike

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Ukraine’s military leadership is facing severe backlash after a recent Russian missile strike reportedly resulted in significant Ukrainian casualties. According to Ukrainian media and Russian military bloggers, over 20 Ukrainian soldiers were killed during an award ceremony near the southern frontlines on Friday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the incident was avoidable and announced the initiation of criminal proceedings.

Several Ukrainian soldiers and military experts have criticized the decision to hold the ceremony in an area vulnerable to strikes, highlighting that Russian drones routinely monitor Ukrainian troop activities to facilitate air and artillery attacks. Disturbing drone footage shared on a Russian Telegram channel purportedly captured the moment of the deadly strike, displaying bodies of Ukrainian soldiers on the ground.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the deaths and ordered a full investigation into the tragedy. The use of an Iskander-M, a Russian short-range ballistic missile, was reported by Ukraine’s Strategic Command (StratCom), resulting in civilian casualties as well. While the specific location of the attack has not been publicly disclosed by Kyiv, Ukrainian media suggests it was a village near the frontline, potentially Dymytrovo, known as Zarichne after Ukraine’s renaming in 2016.

The incident occurred during a ceremony marking Artillery Day, dedicated to honoring military personnel serving in artillery and missile units. Various social media posts, including those by Ukrainian soldier Ruslan Kahanets and volunteer Serhiy Sternenko, criticized the decision to organize the event, calling for accountability and systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The sentiment among some Russian military bloggers implies that such incidents are occurring more frequently, urging Ukrainian military leaders to reassess their strategies. This recent strike has sparked anger among Ukrainian citizens, who demand punishment for those responsible for organizing the ill-fated ceremony. As investigations continue, the focus remains on establishing the truth and implementing measures to prevent such occurrences from happening again.

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The Obstacles Delaying Kyiv’s Counter-Offensive: Deadly Minefields in the Ukraine Conflict

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A Ukrainian soldier struggles through tall grass, dragging one leg behind him. Moments later, an explosion and smoke indicate another land mine has been triggered just a few meters away. Another injured soldier manages to reach the relative safety of an armored vehicle, his arms flailing as he moves, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

Last week, a Ukrainian army drone captured these live scenes in the frontlines near the city of Bakhmut in Donbas. From above, the minefield appeared as a scattered pattern of dark circles on the cratered ground.

Artyom, a 36-year-old soldier from Ukraine’s 108th Territorial Defense Brigade, expressed his fear of mines, stating that they terrify him more than anything else. He recounted an incident where two of his colleagues stepped on newly scattered anti-personnel mines, losing their legs. Artyom, a trained sapper, explained that Russian forces use rockets to plant mines in previously cleared areas liberated by Ukrainian troops.

The anticipated counterattack by Ukraine has faced delays, and soldiers stationed along different sections of the frontlines attribute part of the delay to Russian minefields. The commander of a sapper squad known as Dill confirmed that mines significantly slow down troop movements. He recently completed a de-mining mission near the village of Predtechyne and displayed deactivated Russian mines while ensuring he remained hidden from Russian drones.

Artyom, a realist about Ukraine’s counter-offensive, believed that many people in the media and society were too impatient, expecting rapid progress. He cautioned against the worst-case scenario of slow progress. As fighter jets flew overhead and artillery pounded the frontlines, one officer suggested that the patient approach of the Ukrainian forces would soon yield significant results, as long-range strikes hindered Russia’s ability to rearm and low morale among Russian troops created opportunities for breakthroughs.

Regarding the extensive minefields ahead of Ukraine’s counter-attack, Dill, the sapper squad commander, expressed quiet confidence. He stated that they were learning to improvise and find safe paths through the minefields but acknowledged the fierce nature of the enemy they were fighting.

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