At least 27 people were tragically killed on Sunday when shells struck a Russian-controlled region in eastern Ukraine, according to local officials and Russia's Foreign Ministry. The city of Donetsk reported that the strikes were carried out by Ukraine's military, targeting a busy shopping area in the Tekstilshchik quarter. Alongside the fatalities, 25 individuals were injured in the attack.

Denis Pushilin, the Moscow-installed head of the separatist Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), stated in a post on Telegram that 155mm and 152mm artillery rounds were launched at Donetsk from regions west of the city, near the front line. As of now, there has been no response from Kyiv and the claims have not been independently verified.

Images capturing the aftermath of the strike revealed bodies lying on the ground, some covered with blankets or next to crates of fruit. The neighboring building suffered significant damage, while the surrounding area was charred from the explosion. Russian Investigative Committee officers were seen inspecting the scene and assisting with the removal of victims.

Russia's Defense Ministry referred to the incident as a "brutal terrorist attack" and alleged that it was carried out using "weapons supplied by the West." Notably, Russia's relentless campaign of heavy airstrikes and shelling has resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians across Ukraine. Following its 2022 invasion and illegal annexation of certain regions, including Donetsk, pro-Moscow separatists have operated with Russian support.

While Ukraine has managed to regain some territory from Russian forces since the invasion, the front lines have largely solidified into a stalemate. Both sides have recently resorted to long-range missile attacks, including a massive Russian barrage on Ukrainian cities on December 29. The day after, Ukraine was accused of launching a combined rocket and missile strike on the Russian city of Belgorod, resulting in the deaths of at least two dozen people.

On January 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed that Russia had deployed nearly 300 missiles and over 200 drones in attacks on Ukraine since the December 29 bombardment. This tactic poses a significant threat to Kyiv's air defenses.

In a decisive move aimed at reclaiming Ukraine's territorial sovereignty and garnering Western support, the Ukrainian military has initiated a long-anticipated counteroffensive against the occupying Russian forces. Ramping up their attacks on the front line in the southeast region, Ukrainian troops are intensifying their efforts to reclaim Russian-occupied territory.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has resulted in a 600-mile front line between the two opposing forces. The situation remains fluid and unpredictable, with both sides engaged in a high-stakes struggle for control.

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