According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, escalating long-range strikes hitting densely populated civilian areas in both Russia and Ukraine violate international humanitarian law and must stop immediately. Farhan Haq, speaking as the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, told media outlets that this recent wave of attacks follows an alarming pattern of strikes targeting civilian infrastructure.
Maritime Escalation in the Black Sea Involves Grain Carriers and Military Cargo
Russian military forces claimed to have struck two merchant vessels near the Ukrainian port of Odesa on the Black Sea coast, stating via a Ministry of Defense communiqué that the ships carried military supplies intended for Kyiv’s army. Oleh Kiper, the governor of Odesa, disputed Moscow’s account by stating that one of the hit vessels was carrying wheat and that a crew member died in the strike.
Long-Range Drone Attacks Target Russian Refineries and Logistics Hubs
Ukrainian long-range drones struck the Slavneft-Yanos oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region, located more than 700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, sparking a vast fire captured on local monitoring videos. In the Tver region, falling drone debris caused minor exterior damage to a logistics center operated by the Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries, marking part of a broader campaign that has targeted at least 20 warehouses belonging to the company since July 18, according to regional reports.
Ground Casualties Mount Across Kharkiv and Donetsk Frontlines
Russian aerial bombardment continued to claim lives on the Ukrainian side of the front. Vitalii Karabanov, the head of the local military administration, reported via Telegram that three people were killed overnight in Russian air raids hitting private homes in Balakliia within the northeastern Kharkiv region. Further south, the governor of the Ukrainian-controlled sector of Donetsk stated that Russian attacks over a 24-hour period resulted in one civilian death and nine injuries.
Did you know?
Long-range drone campaigns have increasingly targeted energy infrastructure situated hundreds of kilometers inside Russian territory, shifting parts of the conflict far beyond traditional frontlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the United Nations say about the recent attacks?
According to UN spokesperson Farhan Haq, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalation of long-range strikes against densely populated zones, stating that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law.
What happened at the Odesa port?
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have hit two vessels carrying military supplies, while Odesa governor Oleg Kiper confirmed that one targeted ship was carrying grain and that a crew member was killed in the attack.
Which Russian facilities were hit by drones?
Local monitoring channels and regional officials reported that Ukrainian drones struck the Slavneft-Yanos oil refinery in Yaroslavl, while debris damaged a Wildberries logistics center in the Tver region.