Ukraine’s village of Ocheretyne in the Donetsk region has faced heavy bombardment amid ongoing fighting, as shown in drone footage acquired by The Associated Press. Russian forces have targeted the area, employing artillery, drones, and bombs against Kyiv’s depleted and ammunition-deprived troops.
Acknowledging the Russian advancement in Ocheretyne, Ukraine’s military has admitted that the village now serves as a “foothold” for Russian troops. Despite this, clashes persist in the area, with residents scrambling to escape the violence. Notably, a 98-year-old woman undertook a perilous journey, walking nearly 10 kilometers alone last week, supported by a cane and wearing only a pair of slippers, until she reached Ukrainian front lines.
The drone footage reveals a desolate scene, devoid of any human presence, with virtually every building in Ocheretyne bearing the scars of conflict. Most structures, including houses and apartment blocks, appear irreparably damaged, reduced to rubble. Even a factory on the village’s outskirts has suffered significant destruction, with smoke billowing from several buildings and fires raging in others.
Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its assaults on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, aiming to disrupt the region’s energy infrastructure and instill fear among its 1.3 million inhabitants. Overnight attacks with exploding drones resulted in injuries and damage to civilian properties, including a two-story building set ablaze.
Ukraine’s military reported intercepting all 13 Shahed drones launched by Russia at the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Furthermore, recent airstrikes on Kharkiv resulted in casualties, with an elderly woman losing her life and two men sustaining injuries.
In a separate incident, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down four US-provided long-range ATACMS missiles over the Crimean Peninsula. These missiles, recently deployed by Ukraine and provided covertly by the United States, significantly expand Ukraine’s striking capabilities, enabling strikes at distances of up to 300 kilometers.
This development marks a significant enhancement of Ukraine’s military capabilities, providing the country with increased reach and firepower in its ongoing conflict with Russian forces.