Ukraine has accused Russia of launching new drone attacks on its territory, amid rising tensions between the two countries. According to the Ukrainian military, Russian drones have targeted several positions of the Ukrainian army in the Donbass region, where a conflict has been raging since 2014. The drone attacks have caused material damage and wounded some soldiers, but no fatalities have been reported.
The Ukrainian government has condemned the drone attacks as a violation of the ceasefire agreement that was signed in 2015 and has called on the international community to pressure Russia to stop its aggression. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said that Ukraine was ready to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and urged Russia to engage in dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully.
Russia has denied any involvement in the drone attacks and has accused Ukraine of provoking a war by increasing its military presence near the border. Russia has also claimed that it has the right to protect the interests of the Russian-speaking population in Donbass, who have declared independence from Ukraine with Moscow’s support. Russia has warned that any escalation of the conflict could have serious consequences for the security and stability of Europe.
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The drone attacks are the latest sign of the deteriorating relations between Russia and Ukraine, which have been strained since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and backed separatist rebels in Donbass. The conflict has killed more than 13,000 people and displaced millions more. Despite several attempts to negotiate a peaceful solution, the implementation of the ceasefire agreement has been hampered by mutual distrust and violations by both sides.
The international community has expressed concern over the situation in Ukraine and has called for restraint and dialogue. The United States and its allies have reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and have imposed sanctions on Russia for its actions.
The European Union and the United Nations have also urged both parties to respect the ceasefire agreement and to resume the political process under the Minsk framework. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has deployed monitors to observe the situation on the ground and to facilitate dialogue.
The drones used by Russia are believed to be of various types and capabilities, ranging from small reconnaissance drones to large combat drones armed with missiles or bombs. Some of the drones are reportedly operated by Russian military personnel, while others are controlled by separatist forces or mercenaries.
The drones pose a serious threat to the Ukrainian forces, as they can evade detection by radar or air defense systems and can strike with precision and stealth. The Ukrainian military has tried to counter the drone attacks by using electronic warfare, anti-aircraft guns, or even hunting rifles, but with limited success.