Russia says Ukrainian drone strike kills two children

Moscow, Russia: Debris from a Ukrainian drone attack struck a childcare facility in southern Russia, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to nine others, according to regional authorities. This incident occurred as Ukraine prepared to commemorate its 35th anniversary of independence and host a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, which would include leaders from its European allies.

Krasnodar regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev informed the public via Telegram that drone debris had hit a private children's center in the region, causing the fatalities. Seven additional children and two adults were also wounded in the attack. Kondratyev also reported that a fire broke out at a warehouse after a drone had struck it.

Russian e-commerce giant Ozon subsequently announced that a significant fire was raging at one of its logistics centers in Krasnodar following a drone strike. However, Ozon stated that there were no casualties among its employees. The drone strikes on Russian warehouses, which are typically easier targets than heavily fortified military installations, have already caused billions of dollars in economic losses for Russia.

Ukraine's military announced on Saturday the launch of a new campaign targeting Ozon, following similar strikes against the company's primary competitor, Wildberries. In recent days, Ukraine's forces have reportedly targeted Ozon facilities in the Orenburg region, near Saint Petersburg, and in the Samara region. Russia has vehemently protested these attacks on its "civilian infrastructure" throughout the four-year conflict that has claimed the lives of countless civilians and devastated cities in the country's eastern and southern regions.