In a devastating attack, at least 11 people, including five children, were killed by a Russian missile strike in the town of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. The regional governor, Vadym Filashkin, confirmed that eight others were wounded in the attack. The town, along with the nearby Rivne community of Myrnograd, bore the brunt of the assault, which involved the use of S-300 missiles.
Filashkin shared photographs depicting the aftermath of the bombardment, showing rescue workers sifting through the debris. He condemned the attack, stating that it demonstrated Russia’s intention to inflict maximum suffering on Ukrainian soil. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilian areas. He vowed that there would be consequences for these actions.
Pokrovsk, located just 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the front line of the conflict, had already experienced a deadly bombardment in August of last year, resulting in the deaths of eight people and the injury of 82 others. In a retaliatory move, Ukraine’s military claimed to have successfully attacked the Saki military air base in the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. While Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk celebrated the operation’s success, Russian officials refrained from commenting on the alleged attack. However, Russia’s defense ministry did announce that it had downed four Ukrainian missiles over the peninsula.
Amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the Kharkiv region prosecutor’s office provided evidence on Saturday suggesting that Russia had launched missiles supplied by North Korea during its recent attack on Ukraine. The attack on Kharkiv resulted in the deaths of two people and left over 60 injured, marking one of the largest missile and drone assaults since the war’s inception.
Dmytro Chubenko, spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office, presented the remnants of the missile used in the attack, highlighting its similarities to North Korean missiles. He pointed out deviations from the standard Russian Iskander missiles previously observed during strikes in Kharkiv. The missile showcased was slightly larger in diameter and featured different nozzle, internal electrical windings, and rear parts.
The United States has also accused Russia of using ballistic missiles obtained from North Korea and seeking close-range ballistic missiles from Iran. British Defense Minister Grant Shapps condemned Russia’s actions, stating that the world has turned its back on Russia, forcing President Vladimir Putin to seek assistance from North Korea to sustain the illegal invasion. Moreover, these actions by Russia violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit trading weapons or military equipment with North Korea.
While the Kremlin has remained silent on the recent evidence, relations between Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un have grown warmer in recent months. The two leaders met in person in Russia last September, further raising concerns about potential collaboration between the two countries.
As the conflict in Ukraine intensifies, the international community must closely monitor the evolving situation and take appropriate action to ensure the safety and security of the region.
