Kyiv: Russia launched a wave of drone attacks on Kyiv and its region for the second night in a row on July 12, 2023. The attacks targeted civilian infrastructure, including a residential area and a shopping mall. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The attacks came as Russia continues its offensive in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian military said that Russian forces were trying to advance on the city of Lysychansk, which is the last major city in the Luhansk region still under Ukrainian control.
The drone attacks on Kyiv are a reminder that the war is not over, even as the fighting has shifted to the east. The attacks also show that Russia is willing to target civilian infrastructure, even in areas that are far from the front lines.
The Ukrainian government has condemned the drone attacks, calling them “barbaric” and “inhumane.” The government has also urged residents of Kyiv to stay in shelters until the raids are over.
The drone attacks are the latest in a series of Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. In recent weeks, Russia has also attacked a theater in Mariupol, a school in Kharkiv, and a train station in Kramatorsk. These attacks have killed hundreds of civilians.
The attacks on civilian infrastructure are a violation of international law. The Geneva Conventions prohibit the targeting of civilian infrastructure during war. However, Russia has repeatedly violated these conventions during its invasion of Ukraine.
The drone attacks on Kyiv are a reminder of the human cost of the war in Ukraine. The attacks have killed and injured innocent civilians, and they have caused widespread fear and anxiety. The attacks are also a reminder that Russia is not interested in a negotiated peace settlement. Russia is determined to continue the war until it achieves its goals, regardless of the cost in human lives.
The international community must continue to condemn Russia’s attacks on civilian infrastructure. The international community must also increase its support for Ukraine, both militarily and financially. Only by increasing pressure on Russia can the war be brought to an end and the suffering of the Ukrainian people be stopped.