Arrest of a Ukrainian on Charges of Assisting Russia in 'Missile Attack' on a Restaurant in Ukraine

Ukrainian officials on Wednesday, July 7, arrested a man for allegedly assisting Russia in a deadly missile attack on a popular pizzeria in a city in eastern Ukraine. The Security Service of Ukraine announced that this man, an employee of a local gas transportation company, sent footage of the restaurant to the Russians and informed them of its popularity. In this missile attack that occurred on the evening of Tuesday, July 6, at least 11 people, including three teenagers, were killed. Ukrainian police reported that 61 others were injured in the attack on Kramatorsk. The Kramatorsk City Education Department stated that two sisters, both aged 14, also died in this attack. Another child killed was 17 years old. According to the regional governor, this attack also damaged 18 multi-story buildings, 65 houses, five schools, two kindergartens, a shopping center, an office building, and a recreational building. Rescuers are still searching through the rubble for more bodies or survivors. Initially, officials stated that the attack on Kramatorsk was carried out with an S-300 surface-to-air missile, but police said that short-range ballistic 'Iskander' missiles were used in this attack. The Donetsk region, where Kramatorsk is located, is one of four Ukrainian provinces that Russia claimed to annex in September 2022. Kramatorsk is also the regional headquarters of the Ukrainian army. This pizzeria was a popular spot for journalists, rescuers, soldiers, and local residents. Throughout the war, Russia has consistently emphasized that it does not target civilians, yet its airstrikes in Ukraine have resulted in the deaths of many citizens. The recent Russian attack on eastern Ukraine and other areas indicates that the Kremlin has not reduced its airstrikes despite the turmoil caused by last weekend's rebellion. This rebellion, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, commander of the Wagner paramilitary group, was one of the greatest threats to Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus, stated that Prigozhin has been exiled to his country. Russia continues to bomb parts of the semi-occupied provinces still under Ukrainian control, posing a significant obstacle to achieving a resolution to end the war. The Kremlin has demanded that Kyiv recognize the annexations, but Kyiv rejects any negotiations with Russia until Russian forces withdraw from all occupied territories. The United States is the main Western ally and supplier of most of Kyiv's weapons to help repel Kremlin forces. Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, recently emphasized that any peace agreement must uphold the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Ukraine, and allowing Moscow to retain one-fifth of the territory it has occupied sends the wrong message to Russia and 'other potential aggressors around the world.' The President of Ukraine stated that progress has been made in reclaiming its territories from Russia. Russian indiscriminate shelling in Ukraine; four killed and 42 injured in an attack on a restaurant. A phone call between Biden and Zelensky; the President of Ukraine called for long-range weapons. Russia in crisis; Prigozhin breaks silence: we marched for justice. U.S. Secretary of State: chaos in Russia may continue for months.