The Russian-annexed city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine has come under intense air attacks, with local officials reporting the use of cluster munitions, which have been banned by many countries due to the long-term risks they pose to civilians. These attacks have resulted in significant fires and injuries, although the exact number of casualties is still being clarified.
The assaults began at night, with the first strike occurring at approximately 9 pm (18:00 GMT). Leonid Pasechnik, the Russia-installed governor of the Luhansk region, confirmed that cluster munitions were used in this attack, leading to the outbreak of fires. Just three hours later, a second strike hit the city, reportedly targeting the same general area and potentially impacting the ongoing rescue operations from the first attack.
These recent air attacks are part of a broader pattern of strikes on Luhansk and its surrounding areas in recent weeks. Ukraine’s military has targeted key infrastructure, primarily fuel storage depots, in its efforts to disrupt Russian logistical support. The use of cluster munitions in these attacks has drawn international criticism. Both Ukraine and Russia have been denounced for deploying these controversial weapons on the battlefield.
Cluster munitions scatter numerous smaller bomblets over a wide area, posing significant risks to civilians both during attacks and long afterward, as unexploded bomblets can remain deadly. Despite these dangers, the United States, which supplies Ukraine with these munitions, has defended their use, asserting that Ukrainian forces are using them effectively in their counteroffensive against Russian troops.
The attacks on Luhansk have led to significant destruction and injury. Russia’s TASS news agency, citing emergency services, reported that injuries had occurred as a result of the strikes. Ukrainian media and war bloggers have circulated images and videos showing large fires raging in the city, underscoring the severe impact of the attacks.
Rodion Miroshnik, a special ambassador for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided additional details on the second strike. He reported that residents heard two explosions in the same district as the initial attack and suggested that the second strike might have targeted the site where rescue teams were working to manage the aftermath of the first missile attack. Ukrainian news outlets indicated that the target of the second strike was likely an airfield, further complicating the rescue efforts and intensifying the damage.
The Ukrainian government has not made any official comments regarding these incidents. The attacks come against a backdrop of ongoing conflict and territorial disputes in the region. Russia annexed the Luhansk region, along with three other regions, several months after its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, Russia does not fully control these areas. Much of Luhansk has been under the control of Russian-backed separatists since 2014, following an earlier conflict.
The use of cluster munitions and the resulting civilian casualties and destruction highlight the brutal nature of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. As international condemnation grows, the humanitarian toll continues to rise, further complicating efforts for a peaceful resolution. The situation in Luhansk remains volatile, with the latest attacks exemplifying the severe and ongoing challenges faced by the region’s inhabitants.
