Russian Defense Minister Orders to Boost Offensive to Prevent Ukrainian Strikes Against Civilians

Kiev's troops have been targeting civilian infrastructure over the past months, which has led to multiple deaths in Donbass and in the Kherson region.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who paid a visit to the Russian military performing their duty amid the special op in Ukraine, said that the troops should increase their activity in order to stop Kiev's attacks against the civilian population.

"The head of the Russian defense ministry gave the instructions to further boost the actions of the groups in all operational areas in order to exclude the possibility of the Kiev regime launching massive rocket and artillery strikes targeting civilian infrastructure and residents of Donbass and other regions," an official statement read.

After receiving reports from Army General Sergei Surovikin, commander of the South group, Colonel General Alexander Lapin, commander of the Center group, and other officers, Shoigu also awarded Hero of Russia medals to Lapin and Major General Esedulla Abachev.

This comes mere days after the Ukrainian forces shelled the town of Novaya Kahovka in Kherson Region with dozens of rockets. While the air defenses managed to intercept most of them, the attack claimed three lives and injured at least 38. Authorities noted that American-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers were used for the attack, and data also suggests that a US satellite photographed the settlement days before the strike.

Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu at Victory Day Parade, 2022

© Photo : POOL

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At the same time, the constant shelling of Donbass perpetrated by Kiev's troops killed at least 249 civilians and left 1,178 more wounded, the DPR stated.

Moscow launched the special military operation in Ukraine on February 24 after Kiev intensified attacks against the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, triggering the mass evacuation of civilians. Russian forces and the Donbass militias managed to liberate the last remaining LPR territory earlier in July, and are now pressing the Ukrainian military from the DPR.

However, the retreating Ukrainian forces have been shelling Donetsk, as well as the city of Gorlovka and other Donbass communities.