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What happened
On November 17, 2025, a missile strike by Russian forces in Balakliya, eastern Ukraine, resulted in one fatality and at least eight injuries. Among the wounded are a 14-year-old girl, a 12-year-old child, and a 61-year-old man who was hospitalized. Kharkiv regional Governor Oleg Synegubov reported the incident via Telegram, stating that the number of injured could rise. The city's Mayor, Vitali Karabanov, confirmed that two missile strikes targeted the city center. This attack is part of a continuous pattern of Russian military actions against Ukrainian cities, which have intensified as winter approaches. Ukraine has been facing daily drone and missile strikes since the conflict began in February 2022, with recent attacks also focusing on energy infrastructure. The situation remains critical as the conflict continues to evolve.
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Key insights
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Ongoing conflict
The violence in Ukraine persists with daily strikes from Russian forces.
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Civilian casualties
Recent attacks have resulted in injuries to children and other civilians.
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Energy infrastructure targeted
Russian strikes have increasingly focused on Ukraine's energy facilities.
Takeaways
The missile strike in Balakliya underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, as civilian casualties continue to rise amid the conflict. The situation remains dire as military actions escalate.