Missile Strike in Ukraine Kills 5, Including 10-year-old Girl and Mother, as Conflict with Russia Intensifies

A missile strike on a residential building in Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih left five people dead, including a 10-year-old girl and her mother, and injured dozens more.The strike occurred as Russia claimed to have intensified its attacks on Ukrainian military facilities in response to alleged attacks on its own territory.

Two missiles hit the center of Kryvyi Rih, causing significant damage to a nine-storey apartment building and sparking a fire. Rescue efforts are currently underway, with over 350 people involved in the operation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was born and raised in Kryvyi Rih, condemned the attacks and vowed to save and protect his people. In addition to the strike in Kryvyi Rih, two more civilians were reportedly killed in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, which is now on the front line after being recaptured from Russian forces.

The region's governor confirmed that a rocket attack resulted in the death of a 60-year-old utility worker and wounded four others. Another strike critically wounded a 65-year-old man, who died while being rushed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Russian forces claimed to have recaptured nearly 15 square kilometers of land from Ukrainian troops in the past week. However, Ukrainian officials disputed this claim and reported their own gains in the south.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for over 17 months, with Russia accusing Ukraine of launching attacks on its territory and Ukraine accusing Russia of conducting systematic strikes on its power grid and infrastructure.

The situation remains tense, with both sides engaging in military operations and civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. Russian territory has largely been untouched by the conflict, while Ukraine continues to face ongoing attacks and damage.

As the conflict escalates, the international community must monitor the situation closely and work towards a peaceful resolution to prevent further loss of life and destruction.