Fighting Escalates in Ukraine
Russia Drone Attack in Kharkiv Claims Lives and Causes Power Outage
On the 771st day of the Russia-Ukraine war, a Russian drone attack in Kharkiv resulted in the tragic deaths of four individuals, including three rescue workers who were targeted in a second strike while providing assistance after the initial attack. Governor Oleh Synehubov reported that 12 people were injured, with three in critical condition, and the attack also led to a power outage affecting around 350,000 people in the region. Additionally, separate incidents of Russian artillery fire and aerial bomb attacks took the lives of four individuals in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Sumy, according to local officials.
Civilian Casualties Reported in Russian-Occupied Territories
In the Russian-occupied parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, Moscow-installed officials confirmed the deaths of six civilians in Ukrainian drone and shelling attacks. Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russia’s Rostov-on-Don region bordering Ukraine, stated that over 40 airborne targets were destroyed by air defense forces, with an electricity substation in the Morozovsk district being hit, leading to ongoing efforts to restore power supplies in the area. Furthermore, Moldovan border police discovered fragments of an Iranian-made Russian drone near the border with Ukraine, prompting a cordoned-off investigation.
Political and Diplomatic Developments
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised China’s 12-point peace plan, released on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as “reasonable” for addressing the root causes of the conflict. In a report by Monitor magazine and broadcast on public broadcaster ARD, it was revealed that two German construction companies were involved in the reconstruction of Mariupol, a Ukrainian city seized by Russia two years ago following a destructive siege. Ukraine announced a life sentence for a resident of Kramatorsk for assisting Russia in a missile strike on a pizzeria last June, resulting in casualties.
International Support for Ukraine’s Defense Efforts
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala pledged tens of millions of euros to an initiative aimed at purchasing artillery ammunition rounds for Ukraine, with initial deliveries expected by June. NATO members agreed to enhance air defense systems to assist Ukraine in defending itself against Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Population Growth in Switzerland Driven by Ukrainian Immigration
Switzerland experienced its fastest population growth in 60 years, fueled by record immigration, including a significant influx of individuals from Ukraine. Preliminary data from the Federal Statistics Office indicated a rise in population due to the migration trend.
This comprehensive overview highlights the key events and developments on the 771st day of the ongoing conflict, underscoring the impact of fighting, political dynamics, international support, and migration trends in the region.
