Russia strikes Druzhkivka, damaging apartment buildings, many injured

“Another 7 wounded in Donetsk region – this time in Druzhkivka. The city came under enemy fire late this evening,” the official stated.

He also informed that, according to preliminary data, 7 high-rise buildings were damaged due to the Russian strikes.

According to the head of the regional military administration, the final consequences of the shelling are still being assessed. He once again urged residents to evacuate due to constant Russian shelling and move to safer regions. “Russians are destroying everything they can reach! Take care of yourselves! Evacuate!” the official emphasized.

For reference: Druzhkivka is located in the northern part of the Donetsk region, slightly south of Kramatorsk.

Druzhkivka on the map (photo: google.com/maps screenshot)

Shelling of Druzhkivka, part of the fortress belt

Military analysts and observers describe Druzhkivka as one of several cities that are part of Ukraine's so-called "fortress belt” (a 50-kilometer line of four large cities: Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostiantynivka, which forms the backbone of Ukraine’s defense in the Donetsk region).

The recent shelling of Druzhkivka occurred shortly after a combined attack by the Russian army on Dobropillia, where, as a result of enemy strikes on March 7, more than ten people were killed, and the number of injured reached nearly fifty (including seven children).

Commenting on the Russian shelling of Dobropillia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that it was a calculated strike on the city by the enemy.

Druzhkivka has been repeatedly affected by Russian shelling, like other settlements in the Donetsk region, and is frequently under attack.

In early January 2023, Russians struck Druzhkivka with missiles, destroying the Ice Arena and several other buildings.