Intensified Clashes Between Government Forces and Pro-Russian Rebels in Eastern Ukraine... Over 500 Bombings

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As shelling between the Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebel groups intensifies in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, civilian casualties have been reported. While both the Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels claim they were attacked first, Russia has criticized the Ukrainian government, and Western countries accuse Russia of staging a false flag operation to justify its invasion of Ukraine.

According to foreign media including the AP on the 17th (local time), the Ukrainian military stated that a kindergarten in a government-controlled village in the eastern Luhansk region was damaged by mortar shells fired by pro-Russian rebels. Although no kindergarten students were harmed, three adults were injured, and there were no fatalities, the Ukrainian military reported.

Earlier, the pro-Russian rebel groups, the Luhansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic, claimed that the Ukrainian government forces initiated shelling in their controlled areas, and clashes between the two sides have continued. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) special monitoring mission, dispatched to oversee the ceasefire situation in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, reported that more than 500 explosions have been recorded on the front lines between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels since the 17th.

Ukraine immediately blamed Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "Provocative shelling by Russia-backed separatists," and strongly criticized, "As the United States warned, Russia is now preparing to invade within the next few days."

The United States and Western countries unanimously condemned Russia for escalating military tensions in the area to create a pretext for invading Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized at a press conference that day, "All the indicators we have show they are ready to enter Ukraine," and "There is evidence that they are creating and participating in false operations to fabricate an excuse for entering."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.