Russia-Ukraine war: Russian missiles target Ukrainian cities as fighting intensifies in Bakhmut
Missile strikes and explosions reported in Ukrainian cities. Photo: AFP, Getty Images
It is day 379 of the Russia-Ukraine war and things seem to be heating up more than usual again. Reports say that Russia started bombarding several cities in Ukraine with missiles around 5 am on Thursday, March 9. It comes as bitter and intense fighting continues in Bakhmut, a city in eastern Ukraine.
Russia launched all types of cruise missiles at Kyiv overnight. Thanks to the work of Ukrainian air defense, , strikes by cruise missiles and drones were prevented. Kinzhal ballistic missile, which Ukraine cannot intercept, hit energy facility. pic.twitter.com/BkMluWWmt9
— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) March 9, 2023
What's happening?
- Missile strikes were reported at the Black Sea port in Odesa and Kharkiv.
- The missile strikes have also damaged power grids resulting in a fresh electricity outage.
Dear Friends,
— Jane (@UkraineEugenia) March 9, 2023
Unfortunately today at night we were attacked by the missiles
Attack has been lasted for 5 hours
Zolochiv in #Lviv district was bombed severe: 5 people died #RussianWarCrimes #RussiaIsANaziState #RussiaisATerroistState pic.twitter.com/VMMbT0xRL5
- In Kyiv, explosions were reported and emergency services were in action in the western and southern parts of the capital city.
- The developments come as ground fighting in the eastern city of Bakhmut intensifies.
- NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg said recently that Bakhmut may fall to Russia in a few days.
- The fighting in the city is being led by the infamous Wagner Group or PMC Wagner.
- The founder of the Group Yevgeny Prigozhin recently said that they have successfully captured the eastern part of Bakhmut.
- However, the claims have not been verified and Prigozhin has made premature claims of victories earlier.
- On the other hand, the Ukrainian forces say they have pushed back intense Russian attacks in Bakhmut.
This is what Russia is doing to Ukraine. Video and photo of mass shelling overnight. Kick the terrorist Russia out of the @UN Security Council or disband the UN. pic.twitter.com/vKx9P6wdhU
— Stardust Collector (@ruinwanderer) March 9, 2023
Diplomacy:
- The US Intelligence department has estimated that the war could go on for a few years.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an address on CNN in the US, requesting for more fighter jets to protect its skies.
- In the US, Republicans have been rallying against the billions of dollars of support extended to Ukraine by the Biden administration.
- Responding to the conservative pushback in the US, Zelensky even invited US house speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, to visit Kyiv.
- However, McCarthy declined and reiterated their stance that they support Ukraine but do not support "a blank check".
Recap:
- February 24 marked one year of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. US President Joe Biden visited Kyiv to mark one year of fighting and to show support to Ukraine.
- Since last year, the Ukrainian military has reported that over 1,50,000 Russian soldiers have perished in the war they started and other reports have said over 1,00,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died in the battle.
- However, these figures are up for debate, with some claiming they are too hyped up or not hyped enough. Another Ukrainian figure states that 824 Russian soldiers died every day in February 2023.
- As for civilian casualties, reports state the number may be as high as 1,00,000 Ukrainians, with millions more displaced.
Russia had largely started the Ukraine invasion believing that Kyiv would fall within days of the attack. Reports now say that Kremlin had not prepared for Ukraine to fight back for as long as it has. Though Russia made dangerous gains in the beginning of the invasion, Ukraine was able to launch counterattacks and reclaim lost territories in the past year.
Russian forces are said to be lacking in ammunition and trained manpower. Moscow has largely tried to make up for the quality by increasing the number of soldiers on the ground; however, these soldiers are largely untrained personnel, dying quickly on the battleground.