Russia-Ukraine War Escalates with Sloviansk Airstrikes and New Battlefield Claims
A Russian air attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk has killed at least four people and wounded 16 others, including a 14-year-old girl, according to regional authorities, as the Russia–Ukraine war continues to intensify.
The governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin, said Russian forces dropped three guided bombs on the city on Tuesday. Emergency teams rushed to the scene to rescue civilians and treat the wounded. Moscow has not yet commented on the attack.
Drone Strikes Hit Multiple Cities
Overnight, Russian drone attacks targeted several Ukrainian cities, leaving at least 17 people injured, including two children, Ukraine’s emergency services reported.
Ukraine’s air force said its air defenses managed to shoot down 122 out of 137 drones launched by Russia overnight, highlighting the scale of the ongoing Ukraine airstrikes campaign.
Both Sides Claim Battlefield Gains
As the war enters its fifth year, both Ukraine and Russia say they are making progress on the battlefield.
Ukrainian military officials reported that their forces had retaken most of the territory in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, reclaiming more than 400 square kilometres during a recent counteroffensive.
Major-General Oleksandr Komarenko said the frontline situation remains difficult but under control, with the heaviest fighting near Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine and Oleksandrivka in the south.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian troops have expanded their control in the eastern Donbas region, a key objective of Moscow’s invasion.
Putin said Ukraine controlled about 25% of Donbas six months ago, but now holds only around 15–17% of the territory.
Missile Strike Reported Inside Russia
In Russia’s Bryansk region, officials reported that a Ukrainian missile strike killed six civilians and injured 37 others.
Regional governor Alexander Bogomaz said the victims were civilians who were taken to Bryansk Regional Hospital.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike targeted a Russian missile production facility.
War Crimes Allegations and International Pressure
At the same time, a United Nations investigation concluded that the deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia since the 2022 invasion may constitute crimes against humanity.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) previously issued arrest warrants in 2023 for President Vladimir Putin and several Russian officials over alleged illegal deportations of children. Moscow denies the accusations, saying evacuations were carried out voluntarily for safety.
New Peace Talks Expected
Despite the ongoing violence, diplomatic efforts are continuing.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said the next round of trilateral peace talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States could take place next week.
Previous negotiations were held in the United Arab Emirates and Geneva, while earlier talks between Russia and Ukraine also took place in Turkiye.
However, the two sides remain far apart on key issues, particularly over territorial control of Ukrainian regions seized by Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Turkiye is prepared to host the next round of negotiations, following discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
As fighting intensifies and diplomacy continues, the Russia–Ukraine war remains one of the most dangerous and unresolved conflicts shaping global security.
Source: Al Jazeera