Russian Air Strikes Kill 3 and Injure Dozens in Western Ukraine, Near NATO Border
Russian air strikes have targeted two western regions of Ukraine, near the border with NATO member Poland, resulting in three fatalities and injuring more than a dozen people, according to Ukrainian officials. The attacks, deemed the largest air assault on the Lviv region since the Russian invasion in February 2022, occurred on Tuesday.
The fatalities occurred in the northwestern Volyn region, where an industrial enterprise in the regional capital of Lutsk was hit during the overnight attack. Several individuals were also hospitalized as a result of the strikes, as confirmed by Governor Yuriy Pohulyaiko. In the Lviv region, fifteen people were wounded, with six missiles causing damage to multiple buildings and a kindergarten playground in and around the regional capital.
It is noteworthy that both the Volyn and Lviv regions share borders with NATO member Poland and are situated hundreds of miles away from the front line, where Ukraine’s military is engaged in combat with Russian forces in the ongoing 18-month-old war.
The city of Lviv, which has generally been considered a safe haven from the conflict, experienced limited Russian air attacks until July when a missile struck a residential building near the historic center, resulting in seven deaths. The city has served as a base for some government offices, international NGOs, and as a transit point for Ukrainian citizens fleeing the conflict to Poland and other destinations.
The daily terror inflicted by the Russians has one objective: to break our spirit to fight, expressed Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential administration, in a message on Telegram. This will not happen.
Apart from the casualties in Volyn and Lviv, two people were wounded in Dnipro, a city in central Ukraine. Governor Serhiy Lysak confirmed the strikes targeted a business enterprise and a sports complex.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal revealed that Tuesday’s attacks resulted in damage to civilian infrastructure, including schools and a hospital, across a total of eight regions. The Ukrainian air force reported the involvement of at least 28 cruise missiles in the assault, with sixteen of them being successfully intercepted. Fortunately, no further casualties have been reported thus far.
The incident highlights the ongoing volatility in the region and the detrimental impact it has on the lives of innocent civilians. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine shows no signs of abating, with both sides locked in a protracted struggle for control and dominance. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as concerns about escalation and potential geopolitical repercussions persist.
As the situation unfolds, it remains crucial to strive for a peaceful resolution and the protection of civilian lives. The people of Ukraine, caught in the crossfire, deserve stability, security, and an end to the violence that has plagued their nation for far too long.
