Russian attacks kill five as war in Ukraine continues


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At least five individuals lost their lives in overnight Russian attacks across Ukraine, according to local authorities on Saturday, while Russian forces maintained their push through eastern territories. The Ukrainian city of Poltava witnessed a devastating missile strike on an apartment complex, resulting in four fatalities and leaving ten others injured, according to emergency service reports.

The five-story structure partially collapsed during the assault, prompting rescue operations that successfully evacuated 21 residents. Acting Governor Volodymyr Kohut confirmed that emergency teams continue their work at the location.

In a separate incident in the Kharkiv region, debris from a downed drone claimed the life of an elderly woman aged 60, as reported by regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov on his social media platform.

These attacks coincide with Russia’s ongoing military campaign to secure strategic positions in Donetsk, particularly the strongholds of Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar. Their forces are advancing through agricultural lands and wooded areas, gradually encompassing rural communities.

“Last night, Russia launched an attack on our cities using various types of weapons: missiles, attack drones, and aerial bombs,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media Saturday.

“Every such act of terror proves that we need greater support in defending against Russian terror. Every air defense system, every interceptor missile, means a life saved.”

The conflict, approaching its third year with no resolution in sight, has claimed over 10,000 civilian Ukrainian lives, according to UN statistics.

Mass evacuations have occurred along the expansive 1,000-kilometer front line, where Ukrainian defenders are working to contain the larger Russian military force.

The civilian population continues to face significant challenges, including disruptions to power supply due to Russian attacks on infrastructure. The recent missile strikes necessitated emergency power cuts across seven Ukrainian regions, including Poltava, according to state energy provider Ukrenergo.

Meanwhile, Russia reported defensive measures against Ukrainian operations, with their Defense Ministry announcing the interception of nine drones across their Bryansk, Belgorod, and Saratov regions early Saturday.