Pregnant Mother, Infant, and Four Others Killed in Russian Shelling: Ukraine Declares Day of Mourning

Russian shelling in Ukraine's southern region of Kherson has resulted in the death of seven people, including a 22-day-old infant, and the injury of over 22 others. The attack prompted local officials to declare a day of mourning, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

Last November, Kyiv reclaimed part of Kherson from Russian occupation, but Kremlin troops have continued to shell the regional capital and surrounding areas from across the Dnipro River. The village of Shyroka Balka was particularly affected, with five people losing their lives, including the infant, her 12-year-old brother, and their mother.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko strongly condemned the terrorists behind the attack and called for immediate action to stop them. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin also reported two deaths in the neighboring village of Stanislav, while multiple casualties were reported in other settlements across the region.

The violence intensified throughout the day, with further air strikes and artillery shelling causing more damage and injuries in towns like Bilozerka and Odradokamianka. President Zelenskiy reported a total of 17 shelling incidents in the Kherson region alone, as well as other attacks in nearby regions.

Zelenskiy affirmed that every act of Russian aggression receives a just response, and he emphasized that Ukraine will not leave any of Russia's crimes unanswered. The Ukrainian military launched a counteroffensive in June to reclaim Russian-occupied territory but has yet to make significant progress in crossing the Dnipro to reach the other side of the Kherson region.

The situation remains tense as Ukraine continues its efforts to push back against Russian aggression and seek justice for the lives lost in the recent shelling.