In a tragic escalation of the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, a shelling attack in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk has resulted in the death of at least 27 people, with 25 more injured. The incident, attributed to Ukrainian forces by Russian-appointed officials, marks one of the deadliest episodes in the region since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia nearly two years ago.
Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed head of the Donetsk region, announced the casualties following the bombardment of a busy market area in the city. The severity of the attack was further highlighted by Reuters' photographs and videos showing the aftermath, with grieving individuals and bodies strewn across blood-soaked snow.
In response to the attack, Pushilin declared a day of mourning in the Donetsk People's Republic, a title given to the part of the region Russia claims to have annexed. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in his nightly address, did not directly mention the Donetsk incident but spoke of severe attacks by Russia in various regions of Ukraine, including Donetsk.
#russia bombed the center of occupied #Donetsk, blaming #Ukraine for the attack.
27 civilians were reportedly killed.
According to the @DefenceU, this is a false flag operation, a brutal attempt to undermine UA Armed Forces.
Inhumane. Horrifying. Monstrous. pic.twitter.com/u3Xaz00f5W — Oleks Taran (@ollleks) January 22, 2024
The Ukrainian military, operating in the southern zone, denied responsibility for the attack, asserting on Facebook that "Donetsk is Ukraine!" and stressing that Russia would be held accountable for the loss of Ukrainian lives.
Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as "a barbaric act of terrorism" by Ukraine, accusing it of using Western-supplied weapons. The statement reflects the outrage expressed by Russia in the past when Ukrainian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties. However, Russia's own military campaign has been widely criticized for causing thousands of civilian deaths in Ukraine.
The attack in Donetsk, one of four regions in Ukraine's east and south that Russia claimed to have annexed in late 2022, adds complexity to an already volatile situation. The region's governance post-war is a contentious issue, with Russia not fully controlling any of the four regions.
The strike's impact was not limited to Donetsk. Vadym Filashkin, the governor of the Ukrainian-controlled part of the region, reported Russian attacks killing at least two people at two locations west of Donetsk. He urged those remaining in the city to evacuate.
As tensions escalate, both sides continue to sustain losses. While Russia's defence ministry reported taking control of the village of Krokhmalne in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, a Ukrainian military spokesperson acknowledged the withdrawal but downplayed its significance for the overall military situation.
The incident in Donetsk, coupled with recent Ukrainian strikes on strategic targets within Russia, including a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) processor and a missile plant, indicates a significant intensification of the conflict. These developments raise concerns about further escalation and the potential for broader regional instability.
The international community continues to watch the situation closely, with the prospect of peace seeming increasingly remote. The tragedy in Donetsk is a stark reminder of the ongoing human cost of the conflict and the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further loss of life.
