The village of Ocheretyne in eastern Ukraine has become a battleground as Russian forces continue their advance in the Donetsk region. Drone footage obtained by The Associated Press reveals the devastating impact of the fighting on the village, which was home to approximately 3,000 residents before the conflict.
Reports indicate that Russian troops have been using artillery, drones, and bombs to target Ocheretyne, resulting in widespread destruction. Ukraine's military has confirmed that Russian forces have gained a foothold in the village, but fighting persists as Ukrainian forces continue to resist the invasion.
The footage shows a scene of desolation, with not a single person visible and nearly every building in Ocheretyne bearing the scars of war. Most structures, including houses, apartment blocks, and a factory on the outskirts, have suffered extensive damage, with many reduced to rubble.
In a poignant display of the human toll of the conflict, a 98-year-old woman was among the residents who fled the village, walking nearly 10 kilometers alone, supported by a cane and wearing slippers, until she reached Ukrainian front lines.
Meanwhile, in the city of Kharkiv, Russia has intensified its attacks in an effort to disrupt the region's energy infrastructure and instill fear among its 1.3 million residents. Recent strikes by Russian forces have resulted in injuries and damage to civilian buildings, including a two-story structure that was set ablaze.
Ukraine's military reported that Russian forces launched 13 Shahed drones at the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions overnight, all of which were successfully intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses. The attacks in Kharkiv have caused casualties, including an 82-year-old woman who tragically lost her life.
In response to the escalating conflict, Ukraine has begun using long-range ATACMS missiles provided by the United States to target Russian-held areas. These missiles, with a striking distance of up to 300 kilometers, significantly enhance Ukraine's military capabilities and mark a strategic shift in the ongoing conflict.
The situation in eastern Ukraine remains volatile, with both sides engaged in fierce fighting as the humanitarian crisis deepens. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging a peaceful resolution to the conflict to prevent further loss of life and destruction.
