On Friday, the Russian-appointed head of the region’s administration, Wladimir Balancesaid, reported that Ukrainian forces shelled an occupied village in the southern region of Cherson, resulting in the deaths of 22 people. The incident took place in Sadowe, a village situated on the southern bank of the River Dnipro, just before it reaches the Black Sea. Despite being within reach of artillery or missiles from the Ukrainian-controlled northern bank, there have been no reports of firefights in the area.
According to Saldo, head of the regional administration on Telegram, photos attached to his post did not provide a precise impression of the extent of the incident and there was no independent confirmation. If accurate figures are correct, this would be one of the deadliest attacks by Ukrainian forces on its own territory under foreign rule during Russia’s war aggression that has lasted for over two years. The shelling was carried out by Western Himars multiple rocket launchers and a second attack occurred when people rushed to help after the initial strike.
In another incident that took place in Luhansk city occupied by Russia, an attack on a residential building resulted in four deaths and around 40 injuries according to occupying authorities. However Ukrainian authorities confirmed that it was aimed at military targets with any civilian casualties attributed to Russian air defense systems usage.
