Anti-Russian sentiment in occupied areas of Ukraine has fueled attacks on the pro-Russian officials being placed in positions of authority by the invading forces, the British Defense Ministry said in an assessment of the war issued Wednesday.
The Russian-appointed administration in Velykyy Burluk, near Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, acknowledged that one of its mayors was killed Monday in a car bombing. Ukraine news sites described Yevhen Yunakov as a “puppet” and “collaborator.”
“The targeting of officials is likely to escalate, exacerbating the already significant challenges facing the Russian occupiers,” the assessment said, adding that the violence could increase “the pressure on already reduced military and security formations.”
Latest developments
►Ukrainian forces claim to have “liquidated” Russian Major General Artem Nasbulin in a missile attack on headquarters in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine, according to a Telegram post from the Odesa regional administration.
White House said this week that Iran could provide Russia with “hundreds” of drones to continue its attack on Ukraine.
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