The difference between life and death can be in a detail. Oleksandr, 56, recounts his narrow escape from a missile attack in Vilniansk, Ukraine. On June 29, he decided against visiting a skewer shop, a decision that saved his life as a Russian missile obliterated the establishment moments later. Seven people, including three children, perished in the attack, one of the 381 assaults that Zaporizhia province endured that day.
Oleksandr, a military man, describes the pervasive fear in Vilniansk, a town of 14,800 residents before the invasion. He recounts how civilians, untrained in bravery, have integrated this fear into their daily lives. Oresa, a 58-year-old school cleaner, and Tatiana, a 40-year-old shop worker, share their experiences of living under constant threat. Despite their fears, they continue with their daily routines as a form of resistance.
In Dnipro, a city of around a million inhabitants, a missile attack on June 28 left a devastating mark. Lana, 53, recalls the fear and devastation as three people died under the rubble. The United Nations highlighted this attack in its June report, noting 146 civilian deaths across Ukraine, with June being particularly deadly for minors.
Denis, 44, and his colleagues at a real estate company in Dnipro, work amidst the destruction, salvaging what they can. Despite the chaos, they maintain a sense of humor and resilience. On July 3, another Russian offensive struck Dnipro, killing eight people and damaging the Appolo shopping center and nearby schools.
Russia's evolving strategy in the Ukraine war includes low-altitude missile flights, making them harder to intercept. A recent attack on July 8 hit a children's hospital in Kiev, likely with a CH-101 cruise missile. This new tactic poses significant challenges for Ukrainian air defense, which must adapt to these more targeted and stealthy attacks.
- Oleksandr, like many in Vilniansk, lives with the constant threat of missile attacks. Despite his military background, the fear is palpable. The residents' ability to continue their daily lives amidst such threats is a testament to their resilience.
- In Dnipro, the aftermath of missile attacks is a stark reminder of the war's toll on civilian life. The UN's report underscores the high civilian casualties, particularly among children, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attacks.
- Russia's new missile tactics, involving low-altitude flights and minimized detection signals, present a formidable challenge to Ukraine's air defenses. The use of CH-101 cruise missiles in the attack on the children's hospital in Kiev exemplifies this strategy, which aims to maximize damage while evading interception.
