Second attack in two days: Expert answers why Russians are shelling Zaporizhzhia
"The Russians shelled Zaporizhia (Photo: t.me/zoda_gov_ua)
Zaporizhzhia was hit by Russian rocket shelling for the second time in two days. A Russian rocket once again struck a populated area where there were no military targets. Military expert Oleksandr Musiienko explains why the Russians have intensified strikes on the city in a comment to RBC-Ukraine.
Two shelling incidents in Zaporizhzhia
Yesterday evening, the Russians fired an anti-ship missile, the Kh-35, at the Shevchenko district of Zaporizhzhia. The strike hit a building near a temple in a residential area.
As a result of the Russian attack, the temple and several shops were damaged, windows in apartment buildings were shattered. As of now, there is information about three fatalities and 9 injured individuals. Among the injured is an 11-month-old child.
Today, as seen from the photos and videos released by the authorities, the Russians targeted the Reikartz hotel area with a rocket. According to preliminary data, one person died and nine were injured. All the injured are in the hospital, with one in critical condition.
According to the head of the Regional Military Administration, Yurii Malashko, there could have been more casualties in the attack if the people in the hotel had ignored the alarm signal.
Why Russians are shelling Zaporizhzhia
According to military expert Musiienko, the intensification of shelling on Zaporizhzhia might be related to the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south. The Russians are trying to counter it, even though they constantly claim it has failed.
"There are two elements here. First, they are trying to disrupt our logistics in the south. Second, it's about demoralization. They deliberately launch rockets at civilian objects and places, attempting to demoralize the population. This violates a certain Russian logic because on one hand, they claim that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has already failed, but on the other hand, they are striking to hinder it. This means that our counteroffensive is ongoing," he said.
Besides that, according to Musiyenko's words, the Russians don't care at all where the rocket hits. Whether it's a civilian object or something else. Additionally, as the expert added, one shouldn't forget about the occupiers' problems with targeting, reconnaissance, and even the accuracy of the rockets themselves.
"Due to the sanctions, the quality of Russian rockets is deteriorating, which is also a reason why hitting civilian objects may occur more frequently," the expert added.
What's the situation on the southern front
Ukrainian forces continue to advance gradually on the southern front. Last week, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated that in certain areas of the south, the Ukrainian Armed Forces breached the first line of defense and moved to an intermediate position.
The Southern Defense Forces also confirmed the breakthrough and added that the Ukrainian troops are managing to capitalize on their successes, but they will report on this in a measured manner.
More about the situation on the front in RBC-Ukraine material.
