What's happened
In a series of recent missile and drone strikes, Russia has targeted multiple regions in Ukraine, resulting in at least 11 fatalities and significant damage to infrastructure. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has called for increased support from Western allies, particularly in the form of long-range weaponry to counter these assaults.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, the recent attacks have killed at least 11 people, with President Zelenskyy condemning the strikes as 'vile' and calling for a stronger military response. The Independent reported that Ukraine's air defenses intercepted a significant number of drones and missiles, but the attacks still caused considerable damage. Business Insider UK highlighted the successful deployment of F-16s in defending against these strikes, marking a significant development in Ukraine's military capabilities. Meanwhile, The Moscow Times noted that Russia's military claims to have targeted infrastructure linked to Ukraine's military, despite the civilian toll. This contrast in narratives underscores the complexity of the situation, with both sides framing their actions within the context of military necessity and humanitarian impact.
How we got here
Since the onset of the war in February 2022, Russia has consistently launched aerial attacks on Ukraine, focusing on civilian and military infrastructure. Recent escalations have prompted Ukrainian officials to advocate for more robust military support from Western nations.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate