Russia and Ukraine have both suffered large civilian casualties, as Ukrainian troops advanced into Russian territory and Russian forces attacked a shopping mall.
The Russian defense ministry said on Friday that its forces continued repelling cross-border attacks by the Ukrainian military in the western border region of Kursk.
Russia’s health authorities said that 55 people, including eight children, were injured in the attacks and taken to hospitals for treatment. The country’s ministry of emergency situations reportedly evacuated residents and began delivering food and medical supplies.
Ukraine’s interior ministry said on the same day that a shopping mall in Kostyantynivka in the eastern region of Donetsk came under attack by Russian forces. Police said at least 14 people died and 43 others were injured.
Ukrainian military expert Oleg Zhdanov told NHK that Ukraine’s incursion is aimed at strengthening the country’s position with an eye on future ceasefire negotiations.
He said controlling part of Russian territory could be used as a bargaining chip.