In a devastating escalation of violence, three women were killed and five other civilians were injured on Wednesday in Russian attacks on the eastern Ukrainian town of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, prosecutors said.
According to the Prosecutor’s General Office, Russian troops shelled a residential area of the town, located 14 km (nine miles) from the active combat zone, killing two elderly women. The attack, which occurred in the morning, targeted a densely populated neighborhood, causing widespread destruction and panic among local residents.
Later in the day, Russian forces hit another residential area, likely using a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher, killing a middle-aged woman and injuring five other civilians. The second attack caused significant damage to nearby buildings and infrastructure, leaving many without access to basic necessities like electricity and water.
The Donetsk region, which is partially occupied by Russian troops, has been regularly targeted by Russian shelling and airstrikes. Despite Moscow’s claims that it does not target civilians or civilian infrastructure, thousands of people have been killed in its attacks on Ukraine. The region has been a hotspot of conflict since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, with both sides suffering heavy losses.
The latest incident has sparked renewed concerns about the safety of civilians in the conflict zone and the need for international efforts to protect them. Humanitarian organizations have warned of a growing crisis in the region, with many residents lacking access to basic necessities like food, water, and medical care.
Ukrainian authorities have condemned the attacks, calling them a “war crime” and a “gross violation of international humanitarian law.” They have urged the international community to take action to stop the violence and hold those responsible accountable.
The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in significant humanitarian and economic losses, with millions displaced and thousands killed or injured. The international community has imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its actions, but a lasting resolution to the conflict remains elusive.
