In a devastating attack, two Russian missiles struck the downtown area of Pokrovsk, a city in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine that is partially occupied by Russia. The death toll has risen to seven, with 81 people injured, according to authorities. The victims of the attack include five civilians, one rescuer, and one soldier. Among the wounded are 39 civilians, including two children, 31 police officers, seven emergency workers, and four soldiers.

The missiles, identified as Iskander missiles, were launched within 40 minutes of each other and hit with remarkable accuracy due to their advanced guidance system. This attack is part of a larger pattern observed throughout the war in Ukraine, where Russian forces deliberately target the same location after around 30 minutes to hit emergency workers who have deployed at the scene. This tactic, known as a "double tap," has previously been employed by Russian forces in Syria's civil war.

The Ukrainian National Police, who were present at the scene to rescue and aid the injured after the initial strike, were directly targeted in the second attack. Ivan Vyhivskyi, chief of Ukraine's National Police, expressed his outrage at the deliberate targeting of emergency workers who were providing essential assistance to those in need. The repercussions of the attack are extensive, with 12 multi-story buildings, a hotel, a pharmacy, two stores, and two cafes sustaining damage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, accusing Moscow of wanting to leave nothing but destruction and devastation in eastern Ukraine. This is not the only recent incident of aggression by Russian forces.

In the town of Kruhliakivka, in the northeastern Kharkiv region, two people were killed and nine others injured in an overnight attack. Additionally, Russia dropped four guided bombs on a village near Kupiansk, killing two civilians. Rescuers who arrived at the scene also came under fire and two of them were injured. Russia has consistently claimed that its military operations only target military assets, while any collateral damage is attributed to debris from Ukrainian air defense weapons. However, independent verification of these claims is challenging.

The repeated attacks on civilian areas raise concerns about the disregard for civilian lives and human rights. The international community has condemned these attacks and called for an end to the violence. The Hindu urges its readers to support quality journalism and stay informed about the ongoing situation in Ukraine by subscribing to their news coverage.