Moscow, for its part, said it had shot down drones aimed at annexed Crimea overnight.
The attacks came as Russia continues a nearly 20-month offensive and Kyiv launches a counteroffensive launched in the summer.
The head of Kherson administration, Roman Mrochko, wrote on the Telegram social network that, according to preliminary data, five people were injured during the massive shelling by Russian forces.
One of them was hospitalized in moderate condition.
Two more people were injured in another strike at a nearby transport company, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.
At the time, Vadyms Liach, the head of the administration of Slovyansk in the eastern Donetsk region, reported on Facebook about the Russian strike on a dormitory of the Luhansk Agricultural University in the center of the city. According to him, casualties were avoided.
Kyiv also said it shot down six Iranian Shahed drones that were launched from Moscow-controlled Crimea toward the port city of Odessa.
Hours earlier, Russia said it had shot down eight drones over Crimea, which is under regular attack by Ukraine, which has vowed to retake the region and other territories seized by Moscow.
“Tonight, air defense shot down eight enemy drones as they approached Crimea,” Sergei Aksionov, Moscow’s appointed head of the peninsula, said on social media.
Russia also said three more drones were shot down over its western Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine.
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#people #injured #Russians #shelled #southern #Ukraine
**Interview with Military Analyst Dr. Elena Petrov**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, Dr. Petrov. Thank you for joining us today. There have been recent reports about Ukraine’s counteroffensive making significant strides, particularly in Crimea. Can you give us an overview of the current situation?
**Dr. Petrov:** Good evening. Absolutely. Ukraine’s counteroffensive has seen notable progress, especially with its ability to strike targets deep into territories that are controlled by Russia. This indicates a shift in the balance of power in certain areas and showcases Ukraine’s improved capabilities, particularly in terms of drone warfare.
**Interviewer:** Interesting. We’ve also seen reports of Russia claiming to have intercepted drones targeting Crimea. What does this say about their defenses?
**Dr. Petrov:** Russia’s claims highlight a continued defensive posture in Crimea following Ukraine’s aggressive operations. While they assert they successfully shot down the drones, the frequency of these attacks indicates that Ukraine is not only targeting military installations but also aiming to disrupt Russia’s logistics and morale in the region.
**Interviewer:** There have been incidents reported in Kherson where shelling has resulted in civilian injuries. What’s the broader impact of such exchanges on civilians in the conflict zones?
**Dr. Petrov:** The civilian toll is devastating. The ongoing conflict has catastrophic consequences for individuals in targeted regions like Kherson. Injuries and fatalities resulting from artillery shelling are unfortunately becoming more common as both sides engage in heavy bombardments. It underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and greater protection for civilians.
**Interviewer:** As we look at the situation evolving over the months, what predictions can you offer regarding the trajectory of the conflict, particularly in the context of Crimea?
**Dr. Petrov:** It’s challenging to predict precisely, but if Ukraine maintains its current momentum, we could see a sustained campaign aimed at further reclaiming occupied regions. However, Russia’s resistance remains formidable, and we should expect intensifying clashes. Ultimately, the situation is fluid, and the potential for escalation remains high.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Petrov, for your insights. It appears we are at a crucial juncture in this ongoing conflict.
**Dr. Petrov:** Thank you for having me. It’s imperative that the international community stays engaged as this situation develops.
