Russian Strikes Devastate Dobropillia, Killing 11 and Wounding Dozens

Late last night, Russian forces launched a deadly assault on Dobropillia, a town in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, killing at least 11 people and injuring 30, including five children, according to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry. The attack, involving ballistic missiles, multiple rocket launchers, and drones, struck the heart of the town, damaging eight multi-storey residential buildings and 30 vehicles. Emergency crews worked through the night, battling fires and searching for survivors amidst the rubble.

Dobropillia, located 22 kilometers from the front line north of Pokrovsk—a key target of Russia’s ongoing offensive—had a pre-war population of about 28,000. The strikes, described by Ukrainian officials as relentless, are part of a broader escalation in eastern Ukraine. Posts on X and early reports suggest cluster munitions, possibly from Tornado-S systems, were used, targeting civilian areas. The regional governor, Vadym Filashkin, initially reported five deaths, but the toll rose as rescue operations continued into Saturday.

This assault comes amid heightened tensions following the U.S. suspension of military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv, raising concerns about Ukraine’s ability to counter such attacks. The Ukrainian military reported that Russia deployed two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, one Iskander-K cruise missile, and 145 drones nationwide overnight, with air defenses downing one missile and 79 drones. The Dobropillia strikes underscore Russia’s intensified campaign in Donetsk, where Pokrovsk remains a strategic linchpin.

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation, with local sentiment on X reflecting outrage and grief. As Ukraine braces for further assaults, the loss of life in Dobropillia highlights the war’s toll on civilians, now in its 1,109th day, with no end in sight.