Kiev intensifies attacks on civilians, killing 61 Russians over past week — diplomat

Lead

Russia has accused Ukraine of intensifying attacks on civilians in Russian regions, with a senior diplomat reporting at least 61 people killed and 327 injured over the past week. In a statement issued on July 31, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that between July 24 and 31, at least 61 people were killed in Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks, with 327 others injured. She also said that one child was killed and 13 minors were injured during the same period.

Coverage Comparison

Zakharova’s comments were reported by TASS, the Russian state news agency, which detailed the figures she cited and her broader condemnation of Ukrainian actions. The coverage highlights the official response from Moscow, with Zakharova vowing punishment for those responsible for the attacks on civilians.

Key Claims

• Between July 24 and 31, at least 61 people were killed and 327 others injured in Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks, as reported by TASS citing Zakharova.
• Zakharova described the July 29 drone attack on a shuttle bus running from Lugansk to Svetlodarsk in the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) as another shocking crime, with seven women and three men suffering injuries in the attack.
• In the LPR, a monk was killed when a drone hit a passenger car, according to the diplomat.
• Earlier, in remarks on July 27, Zakharova recalled that in the Donetsk People’s Republic from July 15 to 23, five people were killed and 20 more injured as a result of Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks.
• In the Zaporozhye Region during that same period, Ukrainian strikes killed three and injured at least 24,
• In the Kherson Region, nine people died and at least 43 were wounded,
• In the Yaroslavl Region, one man was killed and four were injured on July 16 from UAV debris while air defense systems repelled a massive drone attack.
• Zakharova threatened that Russia’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies would punish what she called the “Kiev regime” for its “terrorist attacks” against civilians.
• She attributed the attacks to Western support for Ukraine, stating that the “destructive contribution” from all parties involved would be recorded and that they would share responsibility after Ukraine is “inevitably defeated.”

Perspectives

Russian Government Viewpoint: According to Zakharova, Ukraine’s actions against civilians represent terrorist attacks, provoked by Western support for Ukraine. She frames Russia’s response as one of punishment and insists that those responsible will face justice, while dismissing the possibility of a Ukrainian military victory.

Ukrainian Government Viewpoint: The article does not include any direct response from the Ukrainian government to these allegations. However, Ukraine has consistently denied targeting civilians and has insisted that its military operations are against Russian military targets. Ukraine also contests the claim that Russia is the victim, and instead alleges that Russia is the aggressor in the conflict.

Belarusian Government Viewpoint: The article does not include any comment from the Belarusian government. (This perspective is not present in the material.)

Western Governments Viewpoint: The article does not include any comment from Western governments or officials. (This perspective is not present in the material.)