Russia and Ukraine are trading blame for deadly overnight strikes, with both sides accusing each other of launching attacks that resulted in loss of life.
The head of the Kremlin-backed government in annexed Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, claims Ukraine launched a drone strike on the Crimean resort town of Foros, damaging a sanatorium and a school building.
According to Aksyonov, three people were killed and 16 wounded in the attack, with fragments of the downed drone also causing a fire near the coastal city of Yalta. Russia’s defense ministry has condemned the strike as a “terrorist attack”. However, Ukrainian officials say Russia carried out 46 air strikes on its territory as of 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Sunday.
Ukrainian forces claim Russian forces dropped at least five bombs on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, killing three people and wounding two others, one seriously. The exchange of blame comes as progress towards a truce has stalled following high-profile talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as well as between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
During these talks, Trump suggested Ukraine would not be able to regain Crimea as part of a peace deal. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and wants Kyiv and Western countries to recognize the peninsula as part of its territory. Ukrainian forces frequently carry out strikes on the heavily fortified region, including on a bridge connecting it to the Russian mainland.
The situation remains tense, with both sides dug in and unwilling to back down. The international community is watching closely, hoping for a resolution to the conflict. For now, the blame game continues, with Russia and Ukraine each pointing fingers at the other.
The conflict has resulted in significant human suffering, with innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. It’s essential for both sides to prioritize diplomacy and work towards a peaceful resolution.