The city of Donetsk in Donbas, 20 kilometers from the front line and controlled by pro-Russian separatists from Moscow in 2014, is a regular target of Ukrainian bombings. On Sunday, an attack on a market claimed one of the city's deadliest lives in months.
On Sunday, an attack on a market in Donetsk claimed one of the city's deadliest deaths in several months.
STRINGER/AFP
Regional director Denis Pouchiline reported at least 27 dead and 20 injured, “including two children.” The images show numerous blood-covered bodies lying on the ground, with the floor littered with broken glass. The attack will be on the agenda of Russian diplomatic chief Sergei Lavrov's talks at the United Nations in New York starting Monday.
Light Russian advance
Elsewhere on the front, the Russian army claimed to have captured Krakhmalnoye, a town of 45 people near Kharkiv, highlighting the increased pressure Russian forces have applied in recent weeks. On Thursday, Moscow had already claimed the conquest of another small town, Veseloye, in the Donetsk region.
Kyiv played down the attitude. “There are five houses. They were destroyed by the Russians,” Volodymyr Fitio, spokesman for the ground forces, assured television. However, he noted that Ukrainian troops “have been moved to reserve positions” where they “now hold the defense.”
The Kupiansk Oblast, where Krakhmalnoye is located, was occupied by Russia at the start of the invasion until a Ukrainian lightning raid liberated the region in September 2022.
Russia went on the offensive again in the summer of 2023, while Ukraine unsuccessfully attempted its major counteroffensive. In light of the Russian attacks, authorities ordered the evacuation of 26 cities in the region earlier this week.
Gas terminal on fire
To stop the Russian machine and in retaliation for attacks on its soil, the Ukrainian army is also increasing its drone and missile attacks on enemy territory.
A major fire broke out at a gas terminal in Russia on the Baltic Sea on Saturday night, which Novatek, the company that manages the Ust-Luga site, said was caused by “an external factor.” “There are no victims,” said the gas giant.
The fire in the port “Ust-Luga” in the Leningrad region has been going on for almost 10 hours
At the moment the fire is almost extinguished. Novatek's terminal was severely damaged.
The terminal was used to process fuel for military purposes. A fire in the terminal… pic.twitter.com/ZFz9XMO0yu
– NEXTA (@nexta_tv) January 21, 2024