The Ukrainian military is trying to draw Russia’s attention and resources away from a crucial city whose fall could leave other parts of the country more vulnerable.
Fragments of a Russian attack drone intercepted by Ukraine’s air defences fell on a village in the western region of Lviv on Thursday night, according to the State Emergency Service.
No-one was reported injured in the village of Murovane in Lviv district, but the falling debris caused four heavy lorries to catch fire.
This aerial attack is the latest in a series of strikes by Russian forces, who have ramped up their assaults on Ukraine this week.
Lviv city residents are still mourning seven people killed in a Russian attack on Wednesday, among them a seven-year-old child. Four of the victims were members of the same family.
A minute of silence was held near the house on Konovaltsia Street, which was damaged by the shelling. Residents brought flowers and lamps to the site.
Rostyslav Dobrianskyi, a friend of the Bazylevych family, was at the site where the rubble was being cleared.
“We all hoped that everything would be fine, we thought they would come out now,” he said. “I tried to look for the child because the child was taken to the ambulance on Wednesday, and I thought he survived.”
Ksenia Zhyzhiy, another friend of the Bazylevych family, also expressed her sorrow.
“We were friends, and it was a beautiful family. It is hard to convey how sorry we all are. I don’t want to believe it. It was an exemplary family, and the children, Zhenia and Yaroko… it’s extremely sad.
“The fact that this happened is a terrible injustice, and I think every Russian is guilty of this.”
Incursion update
Meanwhile, Russia’s Minister of Defence released footage claiming to show Russian artillery striking Ukrainian units in the border area of the Kursk region, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces have mounted an unprecedented incursion in recent weeks.
Ukraine launched the surprise offensive into Russia on 6 August, saying it is part of a strategy to slow Russia’s advance towards the strategically important town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claims the Ukrainian offensive has had no effect.
So far, the surprise assault does not seem to have diverted Russia’s effort to capture Pokrovsk, which provides critical rail and supply links for the Ukrainian army.
Losing Pokrovsk could leave other Ukrainian cities more vulnerable to Russian attacks.
