One dead, Eight wounded as Russia Attacks Kherson in Violation of Ceasefire Agreement
On Thursday, June 8, 2023, Russian forces launched a series of missile and drone attacks on the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, killing one person and injuring eight others. The strikes coincided with flood evacuation drills that were being conducted by the Ukrainian authorities in preparation for the rising water levels of the Dnipro river. The attacks were condemned by the international community as a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and a war crime against civilians.
Background
Kherson is a strategic city that lies on the banks of the Dnipro river, which forms the natural border between Ukraine and Russia-occupied Crimea. The city was captured by Russian troops in March 2023, shortly after the invasion of Ukraine began. However, it was recaptured by Ukrainian forces in May 2023, after a fierce battle that left many buildings damaged and hundreds of people displaced.
Since then, Kherson has been under constant threat from Russian artillery and air strikes, which have targeted residential areas, public infrastructure, and military facilities. The Ukrainian government has accused Russia of trying to destabilize the region and create a humanitarian crisis.
Details
According to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, the Russian strikes on Thursday were “targeted” and aimed at disrupting the flood evacuation drills that were taking place in Kherson. The drills were part of a nationwide emergency plan to cope with the rising water levels of the Dnipro river, which have been caused by heavy rains and melting snow in the upstream regions.
The drills involved evacuating residents from low-lying areas, setting up temporary shelters, distributing food and water supplies, and testing communication systems. The drills were also meant to demonstrate Ukraine’s readiness and resilience in the face of Russian aggression.
However, at around 10 a.m., Russian soldiers shelled Kherson with missiles and drones, hitting several locations in the city center. Among them was a supermarket where many people were shopping for groceries. The blast killed one person and wounded eight others, including two children. The shelling also damaged several buildings and vehicles, and caused panic among the residents.
The Ukrainian authorities responded by activating their air defense systems and shooting down most of the incoming projectiles. They also mobilized their troops and reinforced their positions along the Dnipro river. They reported no casualties among their military personnel.
Reactions
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the Russian strikes as a “cowardly” and “barbaric” act that showed Moscow’s disregard for human life and international law. He said that there were no military targets in Kherson, only civilians who were preparing for a natural disaster. He vowed to hold Russia accountable for its crimes and to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his solidarity with Ukraine and condemned Russia’s “reckless” and “provocative” actions. He said that the US was ready to provide any assistance to Ukraine and to coordinate with its allies and partners to increase pressure on Russia. He also urged Russia to respect the ceasefire agreement and to engage in constructive dialogue with Ukraine.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a de-escalation of tensions in eastern Ukraine. He said that he was deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Kherson and other affected areas. He urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The Russian Foreign Ministry denied any involvement in the strikes on Kherson and accused Ukraine of fabricating evidence to justify its “aggressive” policies. It said that Russia was acting in self-defense and in accordance with its security interests. It also blamed Ukraine for escalating the conflict and for refusing to implement the political aspects of the Minsk agreements.
The Russian strikes on Kherson have added to the already high level of violence and instability in eastern Ukraine, where more than 13,000 people have been killed since 2014. The strikes have also raised fears of a further escalation of the conflict, which could have serious consequences for regional and global security. The international community has called for restraint and dialogue between the parties, but so far there has been little progress towards a peaceful resolution.
Photo Source:- ANI
