As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine carries on, the Western city of Lviv has recorded its first civilian deaths, with at least seven killed during an early morning attack.
As emergency services arrive at the scene to sort through the rubble, officials fear the death toll will only continue to rise.
Lviv has been a hub of activity throughout the war, with many residents fleeing to Poland through the city.
Following the Russian strikes, the city’s mayor warns there are now “no safe and unsafe locations” in Ukraine, adding “everyone is unsafe”.
Russia launched a millions of dollars-worth Kalibr missile on Lviv to hit a car repair shop. Why? To kill civilians (7 people died),to show that nowhere in Ukraine is safe. And also because it can, because it feels total impunity that no one has courage to #ClosetheSkyoverUkraine pic.twitter.com/SBXAFEGu7x
— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) April 18, 2022
“The second phase of the war has started,” the chief of staff to Ukraine’s President Zelensky says
The remarks from Andriy Yermak echoed the warning given by Ukraine’s top security official that Russia had launched its new offensive in the east on Monday morning.
Addressing fellow Ukrainians, Yermak wrote on the Telegram messaging app: “Believe in our army, it is very strong.”
The attack on Lviv came as a shock to both Ukrainians and leaders around the world, given Russia had just announced it was planning to focus its attention on the east and capture the Donbas region.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price warns Russia’s attacks in Ukraine in recent days are a clear indication Moscow is coordinating “a campaign of terror”.
The European Union has also condemned the latest round of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Lviv.
In a statement, the EU foreign policy chief says “Ukraine is being struck by the most intensive missile attacks by the Russian Federation” in weeks.
The European Union is continuing to condemn the “indiscriminate and illegal shelling of civilians and civilian infrastructure by Russian forces”.
Meanwhile, in Mariupol, Ukrainian forces are continuing to hold up against continued Russian attacks, as Moscow attempts to take the port city.
Russia now says the besieged city will be closed for entry and exit from Monday, warning those remaining in the city will be “filtered out.”
