…By Gift BADEWO for TDPel Media.
An alarming escalation of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine resulted in a deadly missile attack on a restaurant in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, led to at least three deaths and left 25 injured, highlighting the severity and human cost of the conflict.
The Attack and Casualties
The assault, carried out with a Russian missile, targeted a restaurant and shopping centre in the heart of Kramatorsk.
This was revealed by Ukraine’s interior ministry, which added that the missile struck just after 8 pm.
Andriy Yermak, the chief of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration, stated on Telegram that among the 25 injured individuals, one is a child.
Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the missile strike, emergency services were tirelessly working to navigate through the devastated building.
Their mission on Tuesday night was to locate and assist any remaining casualties from the missile’s impact.
Trapped Civilians
The Ukrainian interior ministry issued a grim warning that there might still be civilians trapped under the rubble.
This distressing possibility is indicative of the stark realities faced by individuals caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.
Kramatorsk – A Frequent Target
Kramatorsk, situated west of the front lines in the Donetsk province, has been a common target of Russian assaults due to its strategic importance.
Any Russian advance aimed at capturing the entire region would likely prioritize this major city.
This was underscored by a tragic incident in April last year when a strike on the town’s railway station resulted in 63 fatalities.
International Reactions
Responding to the attack, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council strongly condemned Russia’s relentless strikes against Ukraine.
The attacks have been responsible for widespread devastation and the loss of countless civilian lives.
President Joe Biden assured President Zelensky that the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine and provide it with weapons and equipment to defend itself against Russian aggression.
Russian Perspectives
Simultaneously, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have prevented an impending “civil war” by dissuading mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin from proceeding with an armed march.
In a speech to military and security forces at the Kremlin on Tuesday, Putin praised their efforts in maintaining the constitutional order and averting a civil war.