Ukrainian Strikes Ignite Fire in Donetsk Mall

A series of Ukrainian strikes wounded at least seven people and set a shopping center ablaze in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, the top Russian official in the region said.

"Since 12 noon today, the enemy has been carrying out targeted massive strikes on the Petrovsky district of the regional capital," Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed governor, posted on Telegram.

"According to preliminary information, seven civilians, including a teenager, were wounded. Data on the injured continue to come in."

Pushilin did not mention any fatalities. State news agency TASS earlier cited local authorities as saying at least two people were killed in the shelling of a shopping center, but there was no confirmation.

Pushilin said the "Galaktika" shopping center was engulfed in a fire of over 10,000 square meters as a result of the attack and that authorities were still working to extinguish the blaze. Part of a local hospital was also damaged, he said.

Ukraine’s military released a video purporting to show the first day of its incursion into the Kursk region of Russia along its border.

It said these men were Russian soldiers waving a white flag of surrender.

Eleven days after the start of Ukraine's surprise attack on Russian territory, President Vlodomir Zelenskiy received a briefing on the operation from Army Chief Oleksander Syrskyi.

“In some directions we have advanced 1 to 3 kilometers towards the enemy. The fighting is ongoing along the whole front line. In general, the situation is under control, everything is carried out following the plan.”

Syrskyi said he discussed the battlefield situation with the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff as well.

Ukraine said the incursion was needed to force Russia, which sent its forces into Ukraine in 2022, to start "fair" peace talks.

Kyiv officials have said they plan to create evacuation corridors from the Kursk region and to open access to international humanitarian missions.