KYIV, Ukraine — Five people died in Ukrainian shelling in Russia’s border region of Belgorod, officials said Sunday, while Russian forces struck a hotel in eastern Ukraine, leaving one journalist missing and two others injured.
Twelve other people were wounded in the Russian village of Rakitone, 38 kilometers (23 miles) from the Ukrainian border, including a 16-year-old girl reported to be in critical condition, said regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov.
Russian forces struck a hotel overnight in the city of Kramatorsk in the eastern Donetsk region, injuring two people and leaving one trapped under the rubble, regional Gov. Vadym Filashkin said. All three were reported to be journalists from Ukraine, the U.S., and the U.K.
Reuters news agency said Sunday that their journalist covering the war in Ukraine was missing and two other team members were hospitalized after Hotel Sapphire, where a six-person crew was staying, was hit “by an apparent missile strike” on Saturday. “One of our colleagues is unaccounted for, while another two have been taken to hospital for treatment,” the agency said.
The rest of the team has been accounted for, said the news agency.
In addition to the hotel, a nearby multistory building was also destroyed, Filashkin said, and rescuers were busy clearing the debris at the site.
Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region also came under Russian fire, resulting in multiple civilian injuries, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
In Kharkiv’s Chuhuiv region, five people were injured, including a 4-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, after two houses were struck by Russian fire. In Kharkiv city, eight people were wounded when a two-story house was set on fire by a Russian attack.
In Balakliia, a Russian strike destroyed six houses and damaged others. A 55-year-old man was injured. In the Kupiansk area, a house was set on fire by a Russian attack, wounding four women.
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A recent report has revealed that Ukrainian shelling in the border region has resulted in the deaths of five individuals. This tragic incident highlights the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has been escalating in recent months.
According to reports, the shelling occurred in a border region near Russia, where tensions have been high due to the ongoing conflict between the two countries. The victims of the shelling were civilians who were caught in the crossfire, highlighting the devastating impact that this conflict is having on innocent people.
In addition to the fatalities caused by Ukrainian shelling, Russian fire also hit a hotel that was housing reporters covering the conflict. This attack on journalists is a blatant violation of press freedom and highlights the dangers that reporters face while trying to cover the conflict in this region.
The international community has condemned these attacks and called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life. Both Ukraine and Russia must work towards a peaceful resolution to this conflict and ensure the safety of civilians and journalists in the region.
This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the urgent need for a diplomatic solution to end the violence in the border region. It is crucial that all parties involved in the conflict prioritize the protection of civilians and respect international laws and norms to prevent further tragedies like this from occurring.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential for the international community to remain vigilant and continue to push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. The lives of innocent civilians and journalists are at stake, and it is imperative that all parties involved work towards a lasting peace in the region.
