In a tragic incident in Kherson, Ukraine, six individuals have died following a recent assault in a local market area.
Regional authorities reported that the devastating Russian shelling occurred around 09:00 local time, coinciding with a nationwide moment of remembrance for those lost in the ongoing conflict.
This solemn occasion, known as “Defenders Day,” is an annual event honoring the nation’s armed forces.
The shelling, targeting a crowded market and bus stop, was likely executed using Russian “barrel artillery,” as stated by the prosecutor’s office in the region.
Graphic images from local sources depicted a scene of devastation, with a body resting on the pavement amidst boxes of fruit.
Despite Moscow’s assertions of not targeting civilians, the attack has raised concerns. Initial reports indicated that seven people died, though one victim was successfully resuscitated.
Kherson, briefly under Russian occupation following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, was liberated in November of the same year but remains perilously close to the active frontline.
At 08:55 on Tuesday, citizens across Ukraine observed a profound 10-minute silence for Defenders Day, reflecting the nation’s collective grief.
A heartfelt gathering took place at a memorial site on Maidan Square in Kyiv, where thousands of Ukrainian flags and framed photographs of fallen soldiers have been displayed since the onset of the war.
Halyna, mourning her 29-year-old son Kostyantyn who was killed in July 2022 while fighting in the Kherson region, shared her tragic story. “He was a platoon leader. It’s very hard for me,” she expressed, holding on to his photo.
As the moment of silence commenced, cars halted in the streets, and citizens stood solemnly, creating an atmosphere rich with emotion and national pride.
As the Ukrainian national anthem began to resound through the streets, news broke of the Kherson shelling.
In a separate incident, 21 individuals sustained injuries from Russian strikes on residential and industrial zones in Zaporizhzhia.
In eastern Ukraine, Russian forces continue their aggressive advance, with reports indicating they have nearly reached the center of Vuhledar. Just 107 residents remain in the heavily bombarded town, where delivering humanitarian aid has become increasingly difficult.
On Defenders Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky honored those lost in battle, stating, “You sacrifice yourselves so that Ukraine does not have to be sacrificed.”
Yuliya, who lost her partner Bogdan—a medic during the siege of Mariupol—expressed her struggle as a single parent: “I need to be strong; I need to be both mother and father.”
Bogdan perished in the July 2022 explosion at Olenivka prison, an event many believe was an attempt by Russian forces to obscure evidence of war crimes.
For many Ukrainian families, remembrance is both a personal and public endeavor. Yuliya hopes her daughter will appreciate her father’s sacrifices: “What he did for us is because of him. He was protecting us.”
