Ukraine’s military said on Thursday that its strikes are aimed solely at Russian military and energy infrastructure, following claims from Russian authorities that a drone attack killed civilians in southern Ukraine’s Kherson region.
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian General Staff told Interfax Ukraine that all operations comply with international humanitarian law and are directed at legitimate targets such as military positions and energy facilities.
"The Defence Forces of Ukraine adhere to the norms of international humanitarian law and strike exclusively at enemy military targets, fuel and energy facilities of the Russian Federation, and other legitimate targets...," Interfax quoted the spokesperson as saying.
The spokesperson did not comment directly on Russian reports of a strike on a hotel and café in the village of Khorly, a Russian-controlled area on the Black Sea coast, but said all Ukrainian strikes are published on the military’s social media accounts.
Russian-installed authorities in Kherson reported that the alleged drone attack killed at least 24 people, including a child, and injured approximately 50 others. Vladimir Saldo, the region’s Russia-appointed governor, said three drones struck the hotel and café during New Year celebrations, and claimed one of the drones carried an incendiary device that caused a fire. Saldo described the strike as deliberate against civilians. Photographs circulated by Russian media purport to show the aftermath, including damaged buildings and casualties, though Reuters has not independently verified these images or casualty numbers.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry and senior politicians condemned the incident, describing it as a “terrorist attack” and a potential war crime. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said Moscow would pursue retaliation against those involved.
Kherson is one of four regions claimed by Russia in 2022, a move widely rejected by Kyiv and most Western governments as illegal.
The incident occurred amid a broader rise in drone attacks by both sides. Ukraine has reported strikes on the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai and the Almetevskaya oil preparation facility in Tatarstan. Ukraine also said Russia launched a large-scale drone attack on energy infrastructure in several regions, leaving over 200,000 households temporarily without power.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted video footage of Russian drone attacks and said the strikes were “deliberate” attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials denied targeting civilian areas.
The situation remains under verification as authorities continue to assess casualties and damage.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million peop...
Counting is underway in Armenia’s parliamentary elections, with the results of the vote set to determine the makeup of the National Assembly and sha...
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S...
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships ...
Sirens rang out across multiple areas of Israel on Sunday night after missiles were launched from Iran towards the country, the Israeli military said...
Counting is underway in Armenia’s parliamentary elections, with the results of the vote set to determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone.
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S. visa approvals continues to cast a shadow over the country's tournament preparations.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned ahead of World Environment Day that Afghanistan's worsening water crisis is disproportionately affecting women and girls, who bear much of the responsibility for securing water for their families.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million people for the next few years. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is hoping to fend off challenges from several pro-Russia candidates to secure a third term.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S. visa approvals continues to cast a shadow over the country's tournament preparations.
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment