On February 21, Russian forces targeted the city of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region with artillery fire, resulting in significant damage and loss of life. According to local military administration head Serhiy Horbunov, shells struck near a residential building, severely damaging its facade.
Tragically, one local woman succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack, which were deemed incompatible with life. Horbunov reported that she died at the scene.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of assaults by Russian military units, which frequently employ various types of weaponry, including drones, missiles, and multiple launch rocket systems, against Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure across the country.
Ukrainian authorities and international organizations have classified these strikes as war crimes, asserting that they are deliberate in nature. The attacks on essential services and healthcare facilities are seen as attempts to deprive civilians of electricity, heating, water supply, communication, and medical assistance, raising concerns about potential genocidal actions.
In response, Russian leadership has denied allegations of targeting civilian infrastructure during the ongoing conflict, despite mounting evidence of civilian casualties and destruction of critical facilities such as hospitals, schools, and energy resources.
Recent artillery strikes by Russian forces in Kostiantynivka have resulted in civilian casualties and significant damage to residential areas. Ukrainian officials continue to label these attacks as war crimes, highlighting the ongoing threat to civilian life and infrastructure in the region.