Russia and Ukraine have traded accusations following deadly overnight aerial and drone strikes that killed civilians and intensified tensions amid stalled peace efforts.
Russian and Ukrainian officials have exchanged accusations following overnight strikes that killed several people and injured others across contested regions. Ukrainian emergency services described the attacks as a night of “terror” after Russia launched multiple air strikes, including on the capital, Kyiv.
From Moscow’s perspective, the head of the Kremlin-backed administration in annexed Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, claimed Ukraine carried out a drone strike on the coastal town of Foros. He said in a Telegram post, “According to updated data, three people were killed and 16 were wounded as a result of (the) UAV attack.” Fragments of the drone allegedly sparked a fire near Yalta.
Ukraine countered with reports of significant Russian aggression overnight. Kyiv stated that Moscow conducted 46 air strikes by 10:00 pm (1900 GMT), including at least five bombs dropped on Zaporizhzhia, where three people died and two others were wounded.
The strikes deepen tensions while peace negotiations remain stalled. Both sides continue to accuse each other of violations in what many observers view as attempts to gain international sympathy and political leverage.