The Russian army is stepping up operations in Ukraine after months of conflict that has already left tens of thousands dead or displaced.
Operations were needed to protect the territory in eastern Ukraine that is currently under Russian control, said Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Shoigu “gave the necessary instructions to further increase the actions of the groups in all operational areas in order to exclude the possibility of the Kyiv regime launching massive rocket and artillery attacks on civilian infrastructure and residents of the settlements in the Donbas and other regions, ”reads a statement. posted Saturday on the ministry’s website.
The disastrous release came amid days of relentless missile attacks by Russia. At least 34 people have died in the past three days with the sirens of airstrikes sounding non-stop across the country, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The latest casualties took place in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, where Russian missiles hit a rocket plant and a street, killing three and wounding 15 more, the BBC reported. Two people died in the city of Nikopol, just south of the Dnipro, while three died in the northern city of Kharkiv after Russian rockets hit a house.
Russia is trying to protect the areas it has occupied in eastern Ukraine. AFP via Getty Images
“There are no such words in normal human language that can describe the state to which the Russian state has been degraded,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech Friday evening. “We will definitely restore everything they destroyed … But Russian society with so many assassins and executioners will remain paralyzed for generations, and because of it.”
Zelensky also used the statements to announce a seventh package of sanctions against Russia from the European Union and to thank the United States and President Biden for the ongoing financial assistance.
“In the last two weeks, $ 3 billion was transferred to the budget of Ukraine from the United States of America, and this allows us to ensure the current social needs of today’s Ukrainians. America is truly a leader in defense global freedom, ”Zelensky said.
At least 34 people have died in Ukraine in the last three days. AFP via Getty Images
Meanwhile, the Russians are looking to buy drones with weapons in Iran, according to a report.
A Russian delegation recently twice visited an Iranian airfield where Iran has been displaying its Shahed-191 and Shahed-129 drones, CNN said.
Drones are capable of carrying accurately guided missiles.
“We have information that the Iranian government is preparing to provide Russia with several hundred UAVs, including UAVs with weapons,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told the network in a statement.
With pole cables