Russian Shelling Kills Five in Donetsk as Ukraine Faces Drone Strikes and Vows to Boost Missile Production

Russian shelling in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine on Saturday resulted in the deaths of five people, according to local officials. Governor Vadym Filashkin reported that three of the victims were killed and four others injured in Kostyantynivka.

The deceased were men aged 24 to 69, and the attack also damaged a multi-story building, an administrative facility, and a shop. Additionally, two men in their 50s were killed near the town of Toretsk. Kostyantynivka has been frequently targeted by missiles, bombs, and artillery.

Amid discussions on whether to use Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia, CIA Director William Burns urged Western leaders not to be swayed by Russian nuclear threats.

Speaking in London with MI6 chief Richard Moore, Burns downplayed a previous Russian nuclear scare from autumn 2022, advising against overreacting to Moscow’s saber-rattling. He emphasized that the US has significantly supported Ukraine and hinted that more support options might be considered.

The Ukrainian air force intercepted multiple Russian drones overnight, with 58 out of 67 drones shot down and three more neutralized by electronic systems. Despite debris being found near Ukraine’s parliament, there were no injuries or significant damage reported.

The Ukrainian authorities confirmed the presence of drone fragments but stated that the parliament building itself remained unaffected.

In Poltava, Ukraine, funeral services were held for victims of one of the deadliest Russian airstrikes, which resulted in over 50 deaths at a military training facility. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has vowed to enhance domestic weapons production by establishing underground facilities to withstand missile and drone attacks.

He also reiterated the need to lift restrictions on Western-supplied weapons and highlighted Ukraine’s efforts to develop its own missiles to pressure Russia further.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit London next week to discuss issues related to the Middle East and Ukraine. This visit will be the highest-level US official visit since the Labour Party’s recent electoral victory.

During his trip, Blinken will participate in strategic dialogues on Asia, the Middle East, and collective support for Ukraine. Additionally, Ukrainian reports indicated that a Russian ammunition depot in Voronezh was hit by a drone, leading to a large fire and explosions, with Ukrainian security services claiming responsibility for the attack.