Russia-Ukraine: Major Escalation, Civilian Casualties

On the night of October 21-22, the geography of military operations expanded: Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles carried out massive attacks on objects deep within the Russian Federation, and Russia delivered powerful strikes on Ukrainian settlements. According to official Russian sources, industrial enterprises in Mordovia and Dagestan were targeted by Ukrainian drones. The head of the Republic of Mordovia, Artyom Zdunov, confirmed that one of the enterprises was damaged as a result of the attack. According to the Astra Telegram channel, it was the Saransk Mechanical Plant, which produces equipment and spare parts, including for the military-industrial complex.

At the same time, the head of Dagestan, Sergey Melikov, reported an attack on one of the local enterprises. According to the Exilenova+ Telegram channel, the "Dagnotech" oil refinery in Makhachkala was hit.

Russia, in turn, launched massive strikes on the territory of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that air defense forces were working all night and morning.

"Another night that proves Russia does not feel enough pressure to prolong the war. Ordinary cities were under attack, mainly our energy sector, but there are also many strikes on residential buildings," said Zelenskyy.

According to him, the Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Cherkasy, and Sumy regions were affected by the strikes. There are 17 known casualties and 6 deaths, two of whom are children.

Zelenskyy called on international partners to increase pressure on Moscow. "It is time to adopt a powerful package of European Union sanctions. We also expect strong sanctions from the US and the 'Group of Seven.' It is very important that the world does not remain silent right now, and that there is a joint response to the Russians' vile strikes," he said, thanking those who provide air defense systems and adding that the provision of long-range weapons will bring the end of the war closer.