The war between Ukraine and Russia has been raging for over 16 months, with no end in sight. Russian forces have been using surface-to-air missiles in loosely targeted strikes on cities, resulting in the recent attack of a pizza restaurant in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk.

This devastating event killed at least nine people, including three children, while injuring 56 . 18 multi-storey buildings, 65 houses, five schools, two kindergartens, a shopping centre, an administrative building and a recreational building were all damaged by the attack. The pizza restaurant was frequented by journalists, aid workers and soldiers, as well as locals, and is located in Donetsk, one of four Ukrainian provinces that Russia claimed to annex last September, but does not fully control.

Ukraine has ruled out any talks with Russia until its troops pull back from all occupied territories, and has launched a counteroffensive to take back occupied territory. Russia, however, has continued to step up its air campaign in Ukraine, shelling 16 settlements in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, killing a 77-year-old civilian and wounding three people in a nearby village.

The war between Ukraine and Russia has caused much destruction, disruption and death, with civilians bearing most of the consequences. While the Kremlin demands that Kyiv recognize the annexations, it is clear that civilians are the ones paying the heaviest price. In order to end this war, it is important that both parties come to a compromise and that the international community does its part in providing aid and protection to those affected.