Russia fires missiles at several regions – DW – 08/15/2023

During his first visit to the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion started, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on Monday that Berlin wants to continue to support Ukraine with further aid

“Ukraine must win this war. That’s why it’s also part of our responsibility that Ukraine’s staying power is always greater than the viciousness emanating from Putin’s war,” he said. And he expressed sympathy for the transfer of Taurus cruise missiles to the country, a move that is currently under debate in Germany. 

DW explains why Ukraine wants Germany’s Taurus cruise missiles.

Russian missile attacks hit several Ukrainian cities early Tuesday morning, including two in the west, far from the front line.

Blasts were heard in the western Ukrainian region of Lviv that borders with Poland, local officials said. 

“Explosions again in Lviv,” the city’s mayor Andriy Sadovyi said on the Telegram messaging app. Later he added that many missiles were shot down by air defenses, but some residential buildings were also hit. 

At least three people were killed in Volyn because of the air strikes. “As of now, three people have died. Several more wounded are in the hospital,” said Yuriy Poguliaiko, governor of Volyn.

The regional governor, Maxim Kozitsky, wrote on Telegram that Russia-launched missiles struck some ground targets. Ukraine’s air force posted that defense forces destroyed 16 out of at least 28 Russia-launched missiles overnight. 

The neighboring Lutsk region was also targeted. Lutsk Mayor Ihor Polishchuk reported that an industrial plant was hit and some people were injured.

An industrial facility was also hit in the east-central Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Local governor Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram that according to preliminary information, one person was injured.

Welcome to our ongoing coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine. You can catch up on Monday’s events here and also on a selection of DW’s extensive reporting.

The Black Sea was once a geopolitical afterthought in Europe. But that has changed since Russia began its war against Ukraine. DW looks at how many interests are colliding on the inland sea between Europe and Asia.

After five days of consecutive losses, the Russian ruble has crashed below a psychologically important mark of 100 rubles for $1 US. All attempts by the central bank and President Putin have so far been ineffective.

Yehor Oliynik is one of many Ukrainian soldiers defending Ukraine from Russian attacks. But his story is different – despite having lost a leg while fighting, he wants to go back to war using a prosthesis. Not everyone agrees. 

dh/rt (Reuters, AP, AFP)