Russian Shelling Kills 2 in Ukraine's Kherson Region

On April 23, 2024, Russian forces bombarded the Kherson region in Ukraine, resulting in the death of two people and injuring at least 6 others. The attacks targeted several settlements, including Antonivka, Bilozerka, Stanislav, and the city of Kherson itself.

According to Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson Regional State Administration, the bombardment damaged 8 multi-story buildings, 26 private houses, a school, a kindergarten, a cultural institution, a critical infrastructure facility, and a gas pipeline. Utility workers in Kherson's Dniprovskyi district also came under fire, with a car being damaged but no casualties reported.

The two men killed were aged 85 and 50 in the deoccupied part of the Kakhovka district. The Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office has launched a pre-trial investigation into the incident, treating it as a violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder.

Why this matters: The ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine continues to claim civilian lives and cause widespread destruction, emphasizing the pressing need for international intervention and support for the Ukrainian people.

In addition to the bombardment in Kherson, Russian troops dropped explosive devices from drones in Beryslav on the night of April 22, injuring two people, including a teenage girl. The attacks are part of a broader escalation of Russian strikes across Ukraine, including missile attacks on a TV tower in Kharkiv and drone strikes on Odesa.

Ukraine's air defenses were able to shoot down 15 of the 16 Shahed one-way attack drones Russia launched at the country in the early hours of April 23. The UK announced it would provide an additional £500 million in military aid to Ukraine, including its largest ever delivery of vital equipment, while Germany is pushing the US to provide more Patriot air defense systems to help Ukraine counter the Russian barrage of attacks.

Prokudin condemned the Russian bombardment, stating, "The Russian army does not stop terrorizing the civilian population. Once again, the enemy proved that for him there is nothing sacred - neither people, nor buildings, nor infrastructure." The Russia-Ukraine war serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing suffering endured by Ukrainian civilians as the conflict continues into its second year.

Key Takeaways

• Russian forces bombed Kherson region, killing 2 and injuring 6 civilians.
• Attacks damaged buildings, infrastructure, and utility workers' vehicle in Kherson.
• Russia also dropped explosive devices from drones in Beryslav, injuring 2 people.
• Ukraine shot down 15 of 16 Shahed drones, UK to provide £500M in military aid.
• Ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine continues to claim civilian lives and cause destruction.