Russia-Ukraine conflict: Kramatorsk hit by Russian missiles, one killed

Russia continues to wage war on Ukraine as its forces have relentlessly bombarded its territories to seize control of the eastern and southern areas. Russian missiles recently struck the city of Kramatorsk this week, killing one person.

A Russian missile strike in Kramatorsk Thursday left one killed and six others wounded, according to a top regional official. Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported that the missile struck six buildings, including a hotel and an apartment block in the industrial area.

“A Russian missile hit the center of Kramatorsk. It’s known for sure that one person was killed and six wounded, but these figures may change,” said Kyrylenko. “This is a deliberate attack on civilians…This will continue until we drive them out.”

The city of Slovyansk, which is also near Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, was also hit by a Russian missile strike. Slovyansk mayor Vadym Lyakh said there were no casualties but did not disclose specifics.

The strikes at Kramatorsk and Slovyansk indicate that the two areas may be where Russia intends to launch its new offensive, according to Ukrainian officials. Three civilians were also wounded by a Russian fire in Kharkiv, which is next to the Luhansk and the Donetsk regions, according to the Kharkiv region administration.

After failing to seize Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, Moscow has turned its focus on the eastern territories of Ukraine to capture the areas which are occupied by pro-Russian separatists.

The recent strikes also come as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation this week after pressure from members of his own Conservative Party. An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Mykhailo Podolyak thanked Johnson’s leadership and support for Ukraine in the midst of the war.

Podolyak said Johnson was “a person who began to call a spade a spade from the beginning” of Russia’s invasion back in February. Johnson visited Ukraine twice during the war.

Zelenskyy had also spoken to Johnson following his resignation, according to the presidential office, thanking the outgoing British leader for his support in defending Ukraine. Ukrainian foreign minister Dymytro Kuleba also called Johnson a “true friend of Ukraine.”

“He was among the first world leaders who not only unequivocally condemned Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine but also took a number of crucial decisions to help Ukraine defend itself and ultimately win this war in the future,” said Kuleba.