Russian forces shell Donetsk region 18 times in 24 hours, wound civilians

Shelling of populated areas in eastern Ukraine continued on the morning of February 21, with Russian forces firing 18 times over the past 24 hours in the Donetsk region, according to regional authorities.

The head of the Regional Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin, said residential areas and infrastructure were hit across multiple districts, Caliber.Az reports. 

In the Pokrovsky district, two houses were damaged in the Toretsk-Shakhovskaya community, while another home was destroyed in Zolotoy Kolodets. In Krasnopodolye, part of the Kryvyi Rih community, a residential building sustained damage.

In the Kramatorsk district, two civilians were wounded in Nikolaevka. Three houses, a power line and a gas pipeline were also damaged there. In the city of Donetsk, six private homes were reported damaged. In Aleksandrovka, an administrative building, a vehicle, and sections of power and gas infrastructure were hit.

Further casualties were reported in Druzhkivka, where one person was injured and ten houses were damaged. In Oleksiyivka-Druzhkivka, another civilian was wounded and a house was damaged.

In the Bakhmut district, a residential building was damaged in Platonivka, part of the Siverska community.

Authorities also reported the evacuation of 562 people from frontline areas over the past day, including 244 children.

By Sabina Mammadli