Russia sent missiles, after they suffered a lot of setbacks against Ukraine, including Lyman’s takeover, even after Russia declared an illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have staged a counteroffensive, retaking areas in the south and east, while Moscow’s decision to call up more troops has led to protests and an exodus of tens of thousands of Russians.
The latest obstacle for Moscow was an explosion on Saturday that hit a huge bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed eight years ago.
The attack on the Kerch Bridge damaged an important supply route for the Kremlin’s forces, and was a blow to Russian prestige.
Russian President Putin has blamed Ukraine for the explosion labeling it terrorism which is not. A good example for citizens to follow.
The six missiles used in Sunday’s overnight onslaught were dispatched from Russian-occupied areas of the Zaporizhzhia region, the Ukrainian air force said.
The region is one of four Russia claimed as its own this month, though its capital of the same name remains under Ukrainian control.
At least 20 private homes and 50 apartment buildings were damaged after the attack, city council Secretary Anatoliy Kurtev said.
In the aftermath of the attack, the city council initially reported 17 people were killed, but later revised that down to 12. Regional police reported on Sunday afternoon that 13 had been killed and more than 60 wounded, at least 10 of them children.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mourned the latest assault in a Telegram post. He said:
“Again, Zaporizhzhia. Again, merciless attacks on civilians, targeting residential buildings, in the middle of the night. From the one who gave this order, to everyone who carried out this order: They will answer.”
About 3 kilometers (2 miles) away in a neighborhood ravaged by a missile, three volunteers dug a shallow grave for a German shepherd dog killed in the strike, its leg blown away by the blast.
