Summary:
- Russian missile strike in Chernihiv leaves at least six dead and over 40 injured.
- Ukraine's counter offensive hindered by dense Russian minefields, key objectives at risk.
- U.S. approves F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine; arrival time remains uncertain.
- Approximately half a million lives estimated to be lost or injured in the conflict.
We turn now to breaking news and the war in Ukraine, word of a Russian missile strike overnight as American fighter jets get the green light amid the slowing progress of the Ukrainian counter offensive.
A terrible scene unfolded in the historic center of Chernihiv, a city just two hours north of Kyiv, as a Russian missile struck in broad daylight. The attack resulted in at least six people killed, including a young girl, and over 40 people injured, according to Ukraine's Interior Minister. The incident took place during an event focused on drones and their use in the war, which was being held in a theater. Advertisements for the event had been widely circulated on social media.
As concerns mount over the sluggish advancement of Ukraine's counter offensive, a U.S. official has revealed that denser-than-predicted Russian minefields are impeding the progress of Ukrainian forces. Intelligence reports from the Ukrainian community indicate that a key objective of the counter offensive, the recapture of a vital southeastern city, might not be achieved. These developments have been conveyed by officials who spoke to the Washington Post.
In a significant move, the U.S. has given approval for American F-16 fighter jets to be provided to Ukraine. However, the jets are not expected to arrive promptly. The New York Times reports that approximately half a million lives, both Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, are estimated to have been lost or injured due to the conflict. While this number is an estimate and not a precise statistic, it provides a somber perspective on the magnitude of the human tragedy that has unfolded over the course of nearly 18 months of ongoing warfare.
The toll of a war with no apparent end in sight. Tom Sufi Birg, thank you.