A Russian drone slammed into an apartment building in eastern Ukraine early Saturday while many were sleeping, killing three people and wounding 12 others, Ukrainian authorities reported.
The attack in Dnipro, Ukraine’s fourth-largest city, was part of a large Russian missile and drone barrage across the country that targeted power infrastructure. It also killed a worker at an energy company in Kharkiv, farther north, a local official said.
A fire broke out and several apartments were destroyed in the nine-story building in Dnipro, the emergency services said. Rescuers recovered the bodies of three people, while two children were among the wounded.
Russia fired a total of 458 drones and 45 missiles, including 32 ballistic missiles. Ukrainian forces shot down and neutralized 406 drones and nine missiles, the air force said, adding that 25 locations were struck.
Authorities switched off power in several regions as of the attacks, Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk said in a post on facebook.
In eastern Ukraine, fighting for the strategic city of Pokrovsk has reached a key stage, with both Kyiv and Moscow vying to persuade U.S.President Trump that they can win on the battlefield.
Simultaneously occurring, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey lavrov said Saturday that work has begun on President Vladimir Putin’s order to prepare plans for a possible Russian nuclear test according to state news agency Tass.
Putin’s order on Wednesday followed statements by Mr. Trump which appeared to suggest that Washington would restart its own atomic tests for the first time in three decades.
Ukraine Launches Drone Strikes Deep Inside Russia as Fighting Intensifies in Donetsk Region
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Recent Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted regions deep within Russia, while intense fighting continues along the eastern front lines in Ukraine, particularly around the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. These developments occur as Russian President Vladimir Putin claims his forces are nearing victory and reiterates demands for territorial concessions as a condition for peace.
Drone Strikes Target Russian Regions
Over the weekend, Ukraine launched drone attacks targeting several Russian regions. According to Vyacheslav Bocharov,the governor of the Smolensk region,a drone strike on Saturday caused power outages in the northwest of the region. He reported no casualties. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-launches-drone-strikes-deep-inside-russia-2024-05-18/
Russia’s Defense Ministry stated its forces intercepted 82 Ukrainian drones overnight, including eight over the Volgograd region. In the saratov region, a drone strike damaged an apartment building, injuring two people after blowing out windows, according to regional Governor roman Busarin. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-launches-drone-strikes-deep-inside-russia-2024-05-18/
These strikes represent a broadening of Ukraine’s targeting strategy, reaching further into Russian territory than previously observed.Ukraine has not yet officially commented on these attacks.
Intense fighting in Pokrovsk and the Donetsk Region
Pokrovsk, located on the eastern front line in the Donetsk region, is a key strategic point in the ongoing conflict. The area is part of the “fortress belt” of Donetsk, a heavily fortified line of cities vital to Ukraine’s defense of the region. Analysts suggest that the battle for Pokrovsk could significantly influence both Western support for Ukraine and the potential for future peace negotiations. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-launches-drone-strikes-deep-inside-russia-2024-05-18/
The fighting in Donetsk is particularly fierce as Russia attempts to gain control of the entire region.
Putin’s Demands and Prospects for Peace
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated his belief that a Russian victory is imminent.A key condition for any peace agreement, according to Putin, is Ukraine’s cession of the Donbas region – encompassing Donetsk and neighboring Luhansk – to Russia. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-launches-drone-strikes-deep-inside-russia-2024-05-18/
Ukraine has consistently rejected these demands, maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ongoing conflict shows no signs of abating, and the prospect of a negotiated settlement remains uncertain.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing to engage in intense military operations.The recent drone strikes inside Russia and the fierce battles in the donetsk region underscore the escalating nature of the conflict and the challenges to achieving a lasting peace.