Ukraine: Russian strike kills two teenage girls in Chernihiv

Two teenage girls lost their lives in a Russian missile strike near the Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, according to local officials. Emergency services raced to the scene, battling flames from damaged buildings and tending to the injured amidst a scene of devastation.

The military administration attributed the attack to a Banderol cruise missile, a cost-effective weapon known for its loitering capabilities before striking its target. The blast caused widespread damage to businesses, residences, and vehicles in the affected area.

Meanwhile, a ceasefire brokered by the United States appeared to be holding in southern Ukraine, specifically in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. Both Ukrainian and Russian human rights ombudsmen confirmed that the truce had endured for 30 hours without any reported incidents.

Recent images purportedly released by Russia's Defense Ministry showed military engineers clearing mines in the vicinity of Oleshky, though the exact date of the footage was not disclosed. This operation aims to establish paths for humanitarian aid and enable residents wishing to depart the city.

Approximately 2,000 individuals are estimated to still be present in Oleshky, where provisions like food, water, and medicine have been scarce for several months. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the temporary lull in hostilities but emphasized the critical need for the evacuation of civilians to ensure the truce's success.