Massive shelling of Ukraine and the killing of a military officer in the Poltava region: key highlights from February 1st.
Massive Shelling of Ukraine
Russian military forces attacked Ukraine with missiles on the morning of February 1 attacking Ukraine with missiles. The strikes hit Poltava, Zaporizhzhia, and the regions of Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Kyiv. Consequently, emergency power outages were implemented in several regions, which were later lifted.
In Kharkiv, a woman was killed, and five others were injured. In the Sumy region, two people lost their lives.
In Poltava, the occupiers dismantled the entrance of a five-story building, causing a fire. Nearby houses and cars were also damaged. Preliminary reports indicate that Russian troops struck the city with an X-22 missile. As a result of the shelling, 9 people were killed, including one child.
Assassination of a Military Officer in Poltava Region
In the city of Pyriatyn, Poltava region, a military officer from the Poltava District Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support was shot at a gas station. The assailant has already been apprehended.
According to the Ground Forces, the murder occurred while accompanying mobilized individuals to the 199th training center. A man in a gray balaclava and pixelated pants approached the military officer and, brandishing a hunting rifle, demanded that he hand over his weapon. After the officer refused, he shot the soldier, who succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The deceased leaves behind a wife, children, and parents. After the attack, the perpetrator took the soldier's automatic weapon and fled with one of the mobilized individuals.
Explosion at the Territorial Center in Rivne
An explosion occurred at the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support in Rivne. As a result, one person was killed, and six others were injured.
The incident took place at 16:15 in the premises of the military enlistment office. An investigative operational group and SBU employees are currently working at the scene.
Prior to this, “Suspilne” reported on the explosion on Hrabnyk Street, where the regional Territorial Center is located. The pedestrian portion of the street has been closed off, and ambulances have arrived at the scene.
US Wants Ukraine to Hold Elections
The US wants Ukraine to hold elections, especially if a ceasefire in the war with Russia can be achieved in the coming months, stated Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.
He noted that most democratic countries conduct elections during wartime, which is "very important."
"I believe this is good for democracy. The beauty of a strong democracy is that you have more than one person who can potentially run for office," Kellogg stated.
Police Investigate Child's Death in Odesa
In Odesa, police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a small boy. His body was discovered in a freezer.
The body of the 1-year-and-3-month-old child was found in the freezer of an apartment in the Peresyp district.
As law enforcement established, the boy and his older sister, who is one year his senior, lived with their 18-year-old mother and her 44-year-old repeatedly convicted partner. Investigators are already working with the mother and the man. The two-year-old girl has been removed from the family and will temporarily stay in a hospital.
Russian Publication Used War Footage for Advertising
The Latvian-based Russian-language publication “Meduza” launched an advertising campaign abroad. In its promotional videos, it used footage from the war in Ukraine.
Specifically, it included footage of explosions in Ukraine and Yaroslav Bazilevich at the funeral of his wife and three daughters, who died as a result of a Russian missile strike on Lviv on September 4, 2024.
It was revealed that this campaign was developed for the Russian media free of charge by the German creative agency Lure. They stated that the "bold global information campaign is called: 'Where other headlines end, Meduza begins'."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned such a campaign, labeling it "marketing cynicism."
Other Important News:
- A teacher from Karpenko-Karyi University commented on allegations of harassment against female students.
- Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi announced the introduction of a new training program for instructors in the army.
- American pro-Russian journalist Tucker Carlson stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is a dictator due to an alleged ban on faith and the Russian language.
- Russian troops struck an orphanage in the city of Sudzha, located in the Kursk region. Under the rubble of the building, 95 people were trapped.
Fico will not block electricity or humanitarian aid to Ukraine. At the same time, he threatens to veto decisions at the EU level.