Last Wednesday (17/4/2024) Russia launched a missile attack on the historic city of Chernihiv in Ukraine, killing at least 18 people and leaving 77 people injured. The attack caused extreme panic.
The Chernihiv region, which borders Belarus to the north, was partially occupied by Russia at the start of the invasion. The city avoided fighting for about two years after Russian troops withdrew. However, last Wednesday's attack changed the situation.
Chernihiv acting mayor Oleksandr Lomako said dozens of buildings were damaged in the attack. Another official said dozens of vehicles, as well as medical and educational facilities, were also damaged.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not only blame Russia for the attack. He also said Western countries must do more to help defend Ukraine's territory.
According to him, the Russian attack would not have occurred if Ukraine had received adequate air defense equipment and if the world's determination to fight Russian terror had been strong enough. Zelensky also repeated his call on his Western allies to increase support.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal even told the BBC there would be a "Third World War" if Ukraine lost its conflict with Russia. He urged the US Congress to pass a long-stalled foreign aid bill. Shmyhal expressed "cautious optimism' that US lawmakers would pass a bill with the $61 billion earmarked for Ukraine.
Since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine erupted, hundreds of thousands of victims have died accompanied by extraordinary material losses. Only the strong will and determination of the two countries' leaders can stop the war, because the efforts of third parties including the United Nations, have been unable to stop this protracted conflict.