Russian strike kills two, injures 17 in Kramatorsk as Ukraine hits Russian oil port
The devastating Russian strike kills two injures 17 civilians in eastern Ukraine as Moscow continues its relentless bombardment of residential areas
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Russian Strike Kills Two Injures 17 in Kramatorsk Attack
Poinews.com – The devastating Russian strike kills two injures 17 civilians in eastern Ukraine as Moscow continues its relentless bombardment of residential areas. According to Donetsk regional governor Oleh Hryhorov, Russian forces launched coordinated attacks on Kramatorsk and the nearby village of Bilenke on Thursday evening. The assault resulted in significant casualties and widespread damage to residential infrastructure in the region.
Between 20:30 and 20:56 local time (19:30 and 19:56 CET), eight guided aerial bombs rained down on the city, striking multiple apartment buildings and residential structures. The regional prosecutor’s office confirmed that one person is known to have been killed and 17 others injured in the explosions. Victims suffered various injuries including blast trauma, shrapnel wounds, and severe burns from the devastating impact of the munitions.
Ukrainian Counter-Operations Against Russian Infrastructure
While Kramatorsk endured the bombardment, Ukraine’s air force reported destroying 90 out of 112 Russian drones launched overnight against Ukrainian positions. Moscow has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the Kramatorsk strikes, maintaining its pattern of ambiguous responses to major attacks. Simultaneously, Russian authorities reported a Ukrainian drone attack overnight on the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga in the Leningrad region, which sparked a significant fire at the critical oil-export hub.
Kyiv has not immediately verified all claims or confirmed specific targets, though this latest strike marks at least the sixth attack on the port this year. Ukrainian officials believe these operations are part of a coordinated campaign against Russia’s oil-export revenues, targeting critical infrastructure that generates billions in revenue for Moscow. The strategic importance of these ports cannot be overstated in the ongoing conflict.
The Russian Defence Ministry reported on Friday that its air defences intercepted 553 Ukrainian drones over 18 Russian regions, as well as occupied Crimea and the waters of the Azov and Black seas. This substantial number demonstrates the intensity of Ukrainian aerial operations against Russian territory. Separately, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces killed a woman and her young son using two jet-powered drones on a house in Buryn hromada in the Sumy region on Friday morning.
Regional military administration head Oleh Hryhorov confirmed that a 29-year-old woman and her 9-year-old son have been killed in the drone attack. He added that four others, including the boy’s father and grandmother, were hospitalised with severe burns. The incident highlights the evolving nature of Russian aerial warfare tactics and their impact on civilian populations across multiple regions.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X: “Every day, Russia uses about 220 guided aerial bombs against our frontline communities, which the aggressor’s defence industry continues to produce and modify despite sanctions.” The Ukrainian president emphasized that “Pressure is needed on every supply chain for foreign components and every enterprise working to enable strikes against lives.” This statement underscores the international dimension of the conflict and the need for coordinated action.
NATO Baltic Air Policing jets separately shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace on Friday, with Latvia’s military saying it had been diverted there by Russian electromagnetic warfare. This incident demonstrates how the conflict extends beyond direct combat zones into neighboring countries, raising concerns about regional security and NATO’s collective defence commitments.
FAQ: Understanding the Kramatorsk Attack
Q: What type of weapons were used in the Kramatorsk attack? A: Eight guided aerial bombs were deployed during the Thursday evening assault, targeting residential buildings and causing significant casualties.
Q: How many total casualties resulted from the Russian strike? A: The Russian strike kills two injures 17, with one confirmed death and 17 injured civilians suffering blast injuries, shrapnel wounds, and burns.
Q: What was Ukraine’s response to Russian attacks? A: Ukraine’s air force destroyed 90 out of 112 Russian drones launched overnight, while simultaneously targeting Russian infrastructure including the Ust-Luga oil port.
Q: How does this attack fit into the broader conflict? A: This represents at least the sixth attack on the Ust-Luga port this year, part of Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s oil-export revenues and military capabilities.
