Russia strikes Kharkiv with aerial bombs for the first time since 2022
- In Reports
- 11:50 AM, Mar 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
On Wednesday, Russia targeted the northeastern city of Kharkiv with aerial bombs for the first time since 2022, resulting in the death of at least one civilian and injuring 16 others, according to local officials.
In recent days, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine, launching multiple missile barrages on the capital city of Kyiv and targeting energy infrastructure across the country. This escalation appears to be in retaliation for recent Ukrainian aerial attacks on the Russian border region of Belgorod. However, such sporadic attacks have been common throughout the war.
The Kharkiv region cuts across the front line where Ukrainian and Russian forces have been locked in battles for over two years since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The region is frequently attacked with missiles and drones.
Sergey Bolvinov, the head of the investigative police department in Kharkiv, stated in a Telegram post that Wednesday's attack represented the first instance of aerial bombs being employed since 2022. Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov also confirmed the use of aerial bombs in the incident.
The recent escalation occurs as Ukrainian troops, fatigued and grappling with a shortage of personnel and ammunition, confront mounting Russian pressure along the front line, which extends over 1,000 kilometres.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sacked one of his top security officials, replacing him with the head of Ukraine's foreign spy agency in a new reshuffle.
Zelenskyy announced the dismissal of Oleksii Danilov, who held the position of secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, in a video address late Tuesday. While expressing gratitude for Danilov's service, the president did not give any reason for the dismissal. Zelenskyy mentioned that Danilov would be "reassigned to another area," without elaborating further. Danilov has been replaced by Oleksandr Lytvynenko, who served as head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
The National Security Council is a policy coordination body that is chaired by Zelenskyy. Danilov had held his position since October 2019, a few months after Zelenskyy took office.
The dismissal of Oleksii Danilov follows President Zelenskyy's decision in February to remove Ukraine's chief military officer, Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and appoint Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi in his place. Tensions had escalated between Zaluzhnyi and the president following the failure of Ukraine's highly anticipated summer counteroffensive in 2023 to achieve its objectives. This month, Zaluzhnyi was appointed as Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Image source: Reuters
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