Four Killed in Russian Missile Attacks on Zelensky's Hometown

A Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine, on Monday resulted in the deaths of at least four people, including a 45-year-old mother and her 10-year-old daughter. A tweet by Zelensky shows thick smoke rising from a 9-story residential building, while another 4-story building was leveled. The Ukrainian president called the attack a 'terrorist act' and stated that it 'does not scare us or break our will. We are working to save our people.' The city's governor reported that at least four people were killed and 53 others, including five children, were injured. According to him, 150 residents managed to escape the building, and 30 others were rescued by emergency workers. More than 200 rescuers are still working to save survivors believed to be trapped under the rubble, estimated to number eight. Ukrainian emergency workers are trying to rescue survivors from the attack on the 9-story residential building in Kryvyi Rih on Monday, July 31, 2023. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force stated that the attack was likely carried out with ballistic missiles. In addition to residential buildings, a university was also hit by Russian missiles in this attack. Western countries have provided advanced air defense systems to Ukraine, which have helped protect cities like Kyiv from waves of attacks. However, the vast area of Ukraine poses significant challenges for defending all cities simultaneously, and intercepting and destroying ballistic missiles is very difficult. Meanwhile, Russia has used missiles and drones made by the Islamic Republic of Iran during its attack on Ukraine, which has led to several rounds of sanctions against the Islamic Republic by Western countries. Recently, amid ongoing concerns about Iran's military programs, several American lawmakers proposed a bipartisan bill to sanction a wide range of missile and drone activities of the Islamic Republic. The United States has imposed numerous sanctions on those involved in and supporting the Islamic Republic's military program, especially its ballistic missile program. Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, recently stated regarding potential U.S. actions related to the approaching 'sunset clauses' of the JCPOA concerning the prohibition of arms sales by the Islamic Republic, in light of the military cooperation between Iran and Russia, that the U.S. has taken many actions 'to impose costs on Iran for delivering drones' to Russia. Additionally, see: Exclusive; White House: 'Indirect' talks with Iran for the release of American prisoners are ongoing. The Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister stated that Ukrainian forces have successfully liberated nearly a total of 15 square kilometers of occupied territory in the east and south over the past week. According to Hanna Maliar, since the beginning of the Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian occupiers in early last month, more than 200 square kilometers of occupied territory in the south have been reclaimed from the Russians. Ukrainian officials have reported slow but steady progress in their counteroffensive against Putin's forces. They stated that several villages around Bakhmut in the eastern front have been liberated, and advances toward this city, which fell to Russian occupation in May, continue. Volodymyr Zelensky: The war is gradually being drawn into Russian territory. Ukraine confirmed; Saudi Arabia will host representatives from thirty countries for peace talks on Ukraine. Medvedev: If Ukraine's counteroffensive is successful, Russia will use nuclear weapons. Ukraine: Russian missile attack left at least one dead and five injured. Financial Times: Ukraine is using North Korean missiles against Russian positions. U.S. Defense Secretary: Ukraine is engaged in a 'strategic confrontation' with Russia.