Russia has struck within Ukrainian territory 30,000 times since the start of the year, according to Kyiv’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Oleksii Serhieiev. The amount of Russian shelling on Ukrainian soil over the past three months is nearly half the attacks recorded in 2023. Moscow’s forces have targeted critical infrastructure across Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022, including apartment buildings, residential areas, and energy infrastructure. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine recorded over 30,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine over the past two years, with more than 10,000 civilians killed.
Ukraine’s National Police have documented 116,000 war crimes committed by the Russian occupiers. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin and members of his military of targeting civilians throughout the war, issuing arrest warrants against the Kremlin leader and others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the international community to hold Russia responsible for crimes against humanity, emphasizing that justice is stronger than the Kremlin’s walls. Kyiv has also increased its attacks on Russian territory, including firing drones in the southern region of Rostov, with Moscow intercepting most of the missiles.
Ukrainian officials claimed responsibility for launching an airstrike on a Russian airbase in Morozovsk, destroying six warplanes and damaging eight others, resulting in casualties among personnel stationed at the base. Russian oil facilities have also been targeted by Ukraine as part of their strategy to hit military and energy targets deep behind the front lines. However, Newsweek has been unable to verify the claims made by either side regarding the extent of the damage caused by the attacks. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with both sides engaging in military actions that have resulted in civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure.
The ongoing violence in Ukraine has drawn international condemnation, with calls for Russia to be held accountable for its actions and violations of international law. The war has had a devastating impact on the Ukrainian people, leading to thousands of deaths and widespread destruction. The ICC’s accusations against Putin and his military for targeting civilians further underscore the severity of the situation and the need for accountability. As the conflict rages on, efforts to bring about peace and justice in the region remain a top priority for the international community.
The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with no end in sight to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The continued attacks on civilian areas and critical infrastructure demonstrate the brutality of the war and the urgent need for a resolution to the crisis. The international community must take decisive action to hold all parties accountable for their actions and work towards a peaceful solution to the conflict. As the violence persists, the toll on the people of Ukraine continues to mount, underscoring the importance of finding a way to end the bloodshed and bring about a lasting peace in the region.
