In a heartbreaking incident that occurred on Sunday, a family in southern Ukraine fell victim to a barrage of Russian shells, resulting in the devastating loss of seven lives. The victims included a baby just 22 days old, her 12-year-old brother, and their parents. The fatal bombs struck their family residence located in the village of Shyroka Balka in Kherson.
Interior Minister Igor Klymenko provided details of the tragic event, underscoring the urgency of addressing the escalating situation. The family’s home was hit in the village of Shyroka Balka, causing severe casualties. Additionally, another village resident and two individuals in the neighboring Stanislav also lost their lives due to the bombardment.
Minister Klymenko emphasized the need for forceful action against the perpetrators, labeling them as terrorists who fail to comprehend any other approach. He shared harrowing images depicting the aftermath of the attack, portraying billowing columns of smoke enveloping structures and concealing the bodies of the victims.
Tragically, the shelling left thirteen others wounded, according to the minister’s statement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conveyed his condemnation of the merciless assault during his regular address to the nation. He denounced the attack as “brutal” and revealed the identities of those who lost their lives – a baby girl merely 22 days old, her 12-year-old brother, and their 39-year-old mother, Olesia.
President Zelensky pointed out that the village of Shyroka Balka was not the sole target, as there had been numerous reports of Russian shelling in the Kherson region and beyond. He expressed resolve in the face of these acts of aggression, asserting that Russia’s actions would not go unanswered.
The tragic incident took place in Kherson, one of the regions that Russian President Vladimir Putin controversially claimed to have annexed the previous year. However, Ukrainian military forces managed to regain control over the western portion of the region in November. Despite this, Russian troops have continued to launch shelling across the Dnipro river, causing ongoing suffering and devastation.
Tensions Escalate: Moscow Accuses Kyiv of “Terrorism” Amidst Shelling Tragedy
A day after Moscow’s serious accusation of “terrorism” against Kyiv, a shelling tragedy struck southern Ukraine, further intensifying the already strained relations between the two nations. Moscow’s claim revolved around an alleged missile strike attempt on the Crimean Bridge, which connects the Crimean peninsula to Russia.
Kyiv has not officially confirmed the attack, yet Ukrainian President Zelensky had previously justified the potential targeting of the bridge, citing its alleged role as a military supply route. The Crimean Bridge has been a contentious point, as Moscow took control of Crimea in 2014, a move that faced widespread international condemnation.
In a separate development, Moscow reported firing warning shots at a cargo ship in the southwestern Black Sea, supposedly in an effort to conduct an inspection, as it journeyed toward the Ukrainian port of Izmail on the Danube River. The validity of Russia’s claim has yet to be independently verified. If proven, this incident would mark the first instance of Russia firing upon merchant ships beyond Ukrainian waters since exiting a significant UN-brokered grain agreement recently.
According to Russia’s account, the patrol ship Vasily Bykov fired automatic weapons at the Palau-flagged vessel Sukru Okan when it refused to stop, subsequently boarding it for an inspection.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, an aide to the exiled Ukrainian mayor of Mariupol reported a tragic incident involving Russian soldiers on Sunday. The aide, Petro Andryshchenko, revealed that during a skirmish among Russian soldiers in the village of Urzuf, several Ukrainian civilians lost their lives. The victims included two teenage girls, four young men, and a woman. The violent confrontation emerged from an altercation between Chechen troops and personnel from the local commandant’s office.
Mariupol, a significant port situated on the Sea of Azov, fell under Russian control following intense clashes last year. These developments underscore the deep-seated tensions and ongoing conflicts that have gripped the region, resulting in tragic loss of life and an atmosphere of uncertainty.
