Russia Commits 'Illegal Actions' In Kindergartens, Churches While Targeting Ukraine's Civilians

KEY POINTS

In the last 24 hours, Russia's military conducted three missile strikes
Russian forces fired on military and civilian infrastructure on different fronts
Ukraine's aircraft conducted over 30 airstrikes targeting Russian forces

Russian forces are reportedly carrying out "illegal actions" in kindergartens and Orthodox churches.

The claims were made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook on Tuesday. The news comes amid claims that Moscow's forces have intensified their attacks on several fronts, including targeting civilians in Ukraine.

"The enemy is deploying their personnel and military equipment in kindergartens (Verkhnii Rohachyk) and churches of the Moscow Patriarchate (Chervonyi Maiak) in Kherson Oblast, and has set up a field hospital in the Sviatotroitskyi (Holy Trinity) Church in Mala Komyshuvakha in Kharkiv Oblast," the statement read.

In the last 24 hours, Russia's military conducted three missile strikes and over 35 airstrikes. Its forces also fired using multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) around 50 times.

Russian aircraft conducted airstrikes on Bairak and Asiivka (Kharkiv Oblast); Pryshyb, Vremivka, Velyka Novosilka, Novomykhailivka and Novopil (Donetsk Oblast); Poltavka and Olhivske (Zaporizhzhia Oblast); Bila Krynytsia, Bilohirka and Kostromka (Kherson Oblast); and Velyke Artakove, Ternivka and Liubomyrivka (Mykolaivs Oblast), the statement said.

Russian forces continued to fire on military and civilian infrastructure in different other fronts. Despite the strategic attacks, the Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully repelled Russian attempts to advance on Soledar, Zaitseve, Butivka Mine and Spartak.

Ukraine's aircraft conducted over 30 airstrikes targeting Russian forces, damaging several strong points, around five anti-aircraft missile systems, and an artillery battery.

It remains unclear if any Russian casualties were reported.

On Monday, the Armed Forces of Ukraine killed over 100 Russian soldiers in a successful attack on an occupied settlement in the Kharkiv Oblast. Kyiv's soldiers also destroyed two Russian combat vehicles when it targeted the area of Kupyansk settlement in the Kharkiv region.

"According to updated data, enemy losses have been confirmed. As a result of a successful fire attack in the area of Kupyansk settlement of Kharkiv region, the occupiers lost more than 100 servicemen killed and wounded, two combat vehicles were destroyed," the UAF General Staff said in the report.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine estimates the Russian army lost 300 servicemen, bringing the country's military death toll since the war began in February to 49,800. The Russian military also lost a total of 2,068 tanks, 4,459 combat armored vehicles, 1,157 artillery systems and 3,286 vehicles and fuel tanks in the war.

International Business Times could not independently confirm the damages reported.

A Ukrainian soldier walks in front of a school that was bombed amid Russia's invasion in Ukraine, in Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, May 8, 2022. Reuters / JORGE SILVA