Ukraine Village Ravaged, Kyiv Strikes Back with US Rockets
The Ukrainian village of Ocheretyne has been ravaged by fighting, as shown in drone footage obtained by The Associated Press.
The village has been a key target for Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine. Moscow's troops have advanced into the area, launching attacks with artillery, drones, and bombs. The Ukrainian army has acknowledged that the Russians have secured a strongpoint in Ocheretyne, which had a pre-war population of about 3,000.
Residents have struggled to flee the village, including a 98-year-old woman who walked alone for nearly 10 kilometres last week. Clad in slippers and leaning on a cane, she persevered until reaching Ukrainian front lines.
No people are visible in the footage, and no building in Ocheretyne appears to have escaped the violence unscathed. Most houses, apartment buildings, and other structures seem to be irreparably damaged, with many homes reduced to piles of rubble. A factory on the outskirts of town has also been severely damaged.
Russia Intensifies Attacks on Kharkiv
In recent weeks, Russia has intensified attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. The aim appears to be to cripple the region's energy infrastructure and terrorise its 1.3 million residents.
Ukraine Strikes Back with US-Supplied Rockets
Ukraine recently began using rockets secretly provided by the United States to target Russian-held territory. These attacks included a military airfield in Crimea and another area east of the occupied city of Berdyansk, according to US officials who spoke last week.
New Long-Range Rockets Bolster Ukrainian Capabilities
Long sought after by Ukrainian leaders, these new rockets provide Ukraine with a nearly doubled strike range – up to 300 kilometres – compared to the medium-range variant of the weapons they received from the US in October of last year.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
