Ukraine's parliament decided to cancel a scheduled session on Friday as security measures were intensified following Russia's deployment of a new ballistic missile, raising concerns of further escalation in the ongoing conflict. The increased security measures came after Russian troops conducted a drone strike in Sumy, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals and injuring 12 others in a residential area of the city.
The regional administration in Sumy reported that the attack involved the use of Shahed drones loaded with shrapnel elements, marking the first instance of such weaponry being utilized in the region. The severity of the attack was emphasized by regional head Volodymyr Artiukh, who stated that these weapons were designed to harm individuals rather than infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský arrived in Kyiv for discussions on the impact of the conflict on Ukrainian civilians, the effectiveness of Czech aid projects on the ground, and strategies for enhancing international assistance in the coming months.
Three Ukrainian lawmakers confirmed the cancellation of the parliamentary session due to the heightened threat of Russian missile strikes targeting government buildings in the city center. Additional precautions were taken, including restricting the operations of commercial offices and NGOs within the affected area, with local residents being alerted to the increased risk.
Despite the security concerns, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office continued to operate under standard security protocols to ensure the continuity of government functions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the firing of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile in response to Ukraine's use of U.S. and British missiles capable of reaching deeper into Russian territory. The missile strike targeted a factory in Dnipro, central Ukraine, with Putin highlighting the advanced capabilities of the new missile, named Oreshnik, which reportedly travels at ten times the speed of sound.
The Pentagon confirmed the nature of Russia's missile as an experimental intermediate-range weapon based on the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile.
As the conflict continues to evolve, the situation remains fluid, with both sides engaging in strategic maneuvers that have significant implications for the region and beyond.
