Russia Expands Attacks to Western Ukrainian Cities

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Russian military has expanded its attacks to western Ukrainian cities, which were previously considered far from the front lines.

According to the Associated Press on the 11th (local time), Ukrainian authorities reported that military airfields in the southwestern city of Ivano-Frankivsk and the northwestern city of Lutsk were struck by Russian air raids that day.

Roslan Martyniuk, mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, instructed residents in nearby areas to evacuate to shelters after air raid alarms sounded. The mayor of Lutsk also announced that air raids occurred near the airport.

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the air raids in these areas. Igor Konashenkov, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defense, stated, "High-precision, long-range weapons attacked Ukrainian military infrastructure this morning," and "the operation of two military airfields in Ivano-Frankivsk and Lutsk has been suspended," according to Sputnik News.

The Associated Press explained, "The attacks on these cities, located far to the west and away from the main points of previous Russian military offensives, suggest that the war may be unfolding in a new direction different from before."

BBC also analyzed, "Russia's recent attacks on western cities indicate that Russian offensives, which had previously focused on the capital Kyiv and eastern and southern Ukraine, have entered a new phase."

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