Russia-Ukraine war: 11 killed, 64 wounded in Russian strikes

Russia continues to bombard Ukraine following the successes of Ukrainian forces in their counter-offensive. Russian strikes all over the country led to 11 people dead and 64 people injured.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said Monday that the Russian strikes across the country killed 11 people and wounded 64 others. The agency said on the Telegram messaging platform that the regions of Lviv, Poltava, Sumy, and Ternopil no longer had power during the strikes, and power in other parts of Ukraine was partially disrupted as a result.

The widespread strikes led to international condemnation. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the strikes on Kyiv and of civilian targets in the cities were “a reprehensible act” by Moscow.

“The bombardment of Kyiv and of civilian targets in many other cities is a reprehensible act by Russia. It is an unacceptable escalation of violence that strengthens Belgium’s resolve in supporting the people of Ukraine and their brave fight for a free and sovereign nation,” tweeted De Croo.

US President Joe Biden also condemned the strikes in a statement, saying Washington will continue to impose costs on Russia for doing so.

“They once again demonstrate the utter brutality of Mr. Putin’s illegal war on the Ukrainian people,” said Biden in the statement, adding that Washington has provided Ukraine with $16.8 billion of military assistance and imposed wide-ranging sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine back in February. Biden said the strikes only reaffirmed the US commitment to continue supporting Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also issued a statement condemning the strikes, saying that the recent attacks now present a “profound moral issue” and that the international community must make clear that Vladimir Putin’s actions on Ukraine are unacceptable.

Blinken said the international community must speak out this time against Russia’s continued aggression on Ukraine, noting that the “core principles” of the United Nations charter “are at stake.”

Due to the strikes on Ukraine’s power networks, authorities in Kyiv have asked businesses to limit energy use, and the Ukrainian energy ministry said it was halting electricity exports to the European grid.