A tragic incident occurred in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, where a Russian missile ripped through an outdoor market, resulting in the death of 17 individuals. At the same time, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Ukraine with over $1 billion in new American aid, including military and humanitarian support. This marked Blinken’s fourth visit to Ukraine, taking place amidst the devastating strike that turned the market into a chaotic inferno. Regrettably, this bombardment ranks as one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the ongoing 18-month-long war. According to the AP, the strike left at least 32 people injured.
During a news conference with the Danish prime minister in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his understanding of the locality where the incident occurred, emphasizing that it was a civilian area. The marketplace, once vibrant and bustling, now lay in ruin with burnt, mangled bodies strewn across the wreckage. Stefan Slovak, a resident of Kostiantynivka, trembled as he spoke to the AP, affirming there was no military target in the vicinity. “This is a peaceful neighborhood in the city center,” he uttered, his voice filled with fear and sorrow. Nearby, charred bodies remained in the street, their clothing still aflame, amidst cars engulfed in fire.
Blinken’s visit served the purpose of assessing Ukraine’s 3-month-old counteroffensive strategy and reaffirming the continued support of the United States, as concerns grow among some Western allies regarding the slow progress of Kyiv against the invading Russian forces. “We want to ensure that Ukraine not only succeeds in its counteroffensive, but also possesses the necessary resources for long-term success and a strong deterrent,” stated Blinken. The aid package includes $175 million worth of weaponry from Pentagon stockpiles and $100 million in grants, allowing Ukraine to purchase additional arms and equipment, according to the State Department.
President Zelensky highlighted the disturbing pattern exhibited by Russian forces, indicating that they intentionally target civilian areas and objects whenever Ukrainian defense forces make progress on the battlefield.
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