Russia said on Thursday that Ukraine has been attacking civilians on purpose. Russian officials claimed that seven people have died and more than 120 people, including 11 children, have been hurt in recent drone and shell attacks over the past week.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova gave details of the attacks. She said that on July 16, a drone hit a house in the village of Smorodino and killed a woman. In another village, Novostroevka-Pervaya, a drone hit a farm machine in a field and hurt the driver. In the villages of Pritsepilovka and Novaya Tavolzhanka, drones injured three more people.
She added that between July 17 and July 22, drones attacked five cars on roads in the area. One person died, and six others were hurt. On July 20, drones and shelling hurt two people in the city of Shebekino, and another woman was injured in the village of Togobiyevka. On July 22, a shell destroyed a house in the village of Ilek-Penkovka. A woman and two teenagers were hurt in that attack.
Zakharova said the Ukrainian army is attacking normal people going about their daily lives. On July 22, a drone hit a bus, killing three people and hurting three more. Drones also hit passenger cars in Gladkovka and Novaya Kakhovka, injuring three people.
Later that night, Russia said a drone hit the area near Sochi. One woman died and another person was injured. Zakharova claimed these were not attacks on soldiers or weapons but on innocent civilians. She said even school children and young kids are among the victims.
She blamed Ukraine’s Western supporters for sending more weapons and pushing for more violence. Zakharova said these attacks show why Russia must continue its military actions. She said Russia will reach all its goals in Ukraine.