The delivery of Western precision rocket systems to Ukraine has changed
the dynamic of that war in that country, slowing Russia's advance
and lowering Ukrainian casualties along the front lines. Now Russia
has increasingly resorted to using its own long range missiles to
wreak havoc on cities deep inside Ukrainian controlled territory
from the Michael Line of region of southern Ukraine. Special correspondent
Simon Ostrovsky
And videographer. Yeah. Gore Troyanovsky report.
For Russia, it seems no target is too small. This modest warehouse
in the southern city of Mick alive was hit in the early hours of
July. 21st. No one was hurt, but its supply of food and drinks donated
to the Ukrainian military was completely wiped out.
Russia's destroying much more significant targets as well. This is
the aftermath of a July 17th strike, which resulted in a mass casualty
event that news hour for the first time report.
Just look at these ruins there really extensive. So this was hit
purposefully you no
problem Spending mine.
I asked him in Russian. If the strike was precise, about 50 centimeters
exact. Everything hit its target. Hora bats, is the owner of a playground
equipment factory that was located here. This factory and warehouse
space was completely destroyed in a recent Russian
Missile strike, and the Ukrainian military has told us that this
is a civilian target, and there was no reason for Russia to hit it.
But we've seen evidence that the Ukrainian military did indeed use
this area as a base and off camera. One of the volunteers who helped
clear bodies out from underneath the rubble told us that he believes
That up to 30 or even 40. Ukrainian soldiers and officers may have
been killed here.
There's an awful smell here. Did anybody die?
I can't speak on that subject without permission. This is a sensitive
question. You must understand
specific.
A soldier enlisted in a unit that had been supported from the space
told news hour. The true death toll may have been as high as 50 people,
and that it was believed that a cleaning woman who worked here supplied
Russia with the targeting information for the secret facility.
It's not clear why the Ukrainian authorities suppressed news of this
devastating strike, but it highlights the country's desperate need
for air defense systems. In addition to the missile systems currently
being provided
Last week, Ukraine's first lady
traveled to Washington to urge the United States to deliver them.
I'm asking for something now. I would never want to do it. I am asking
for weapons weapons that would not be used to wage a war on somebody's
else's land. But to protect one's home and the right to wake up alive
in that home. I'm asking for defense systems in order for rockets
not to be killed, but not to kill Children in their strollers.
It also seems to have prompted the Michael I of regions Governor
of Italy, Kim to make this unusual appeal on social media the day
after the strike,
paying our citizens who agreed to help them target their strikes
will pay $100 to anyone who helps find someone who is actually providing
targeting information. Good hunting.
Some people.
Thinking of that.
There will be no responsibility for their deeds when they just send
the summers was coordinates to Russians.
Ah, and nothing will happen. He will just get his mind and no, he
will get criminal charges in future, And for now it is many people
want to help.
To find the color brands traitors, but they do not know how are there
a lot of people who support Russia and are helping Russia target
their weapons. Not much people that sympathizing to Russia, but even
one trader is a big problem.
Multiple devastating Russian missile strikes against targets here
in Michael. I've followed Ukraine's announcement that it's preparing
for a counter offensive goal to retake the key nearby Russian occupied
city of her son, which Russia captured in the early days of the now
five month war.
Ukrainian positions in the Mykolaiv region are just several miles
from the Russian forces that swept through Ukraine. Southeastern
early March Sun lies just beyond these lines.
It's the only regional capital Russia managed to capture since it
launched its so called special military operation against Ukraine
to date. Ukraine's top military brass say that since the United States
and other countries have supplied high precision missile systems
a few weeks ago, they have been able to stabilize the front line
and slow the Russian offensive.
Now they're preparing for a counterattack to attempt to retake some
of the territories in southern Ukraine that have been held by Russia
since the beginning of the full scale war.
Ukraine has boasted that its new medium range weaponry such as the
American High Mobility, Artillery, rocket system, or high, Mars has
severely limited Russia's ability to supply its forward operating
troops because it's made it possible to hit ammunition dumps that
were previously out of reach.
Ukrainian troops in the theater of operations told news hour. This
is translated into fewer casualties on the front lines.
Procedural. After the high Mars started ruining the Russian federation's
plans. They have a lot less ammunition. The upshot for us is fewer
injuries.
The US is supplying about a dozen high Mars to Ukraine. Meanwhile,
Britain, Norway and Germany have said they'll send a total of nine
similar multiple rocket launchers known as the M 2 70.
Further back from the front lines. However, it's a very different
picture. Russia has responded to Crain's new capabilities by stepping
up the use of its own long range weapons to target Ukrainian supply
dumps and military bases. Ukrainian cities.
Just in the last two weeks, Russia has launched 129 missiles of various
designs at the MC Alive region alone, its administration told news
hour
and over the weekend, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky condemned
Russian missile strike on the porch of Odessa, which took place just
hours after Moscow signed a deal to lift the blockade and allow grain
exports from Ukrainian ports. First of all, we can talk about the
Hirsen
Region, the occupiers tried to gain a foothold there.
The armed forces of Ukraine are advancing step by step in the region.
Today's Russian missile attack on Odessa on our ports is a cynical
one, and it was also a blow to the political positions of Russia
itself. Someone's received Human Rights Watch described the Southern
curse own in Zaporizhia regions occupied by Russia.
As an abyss of fear and wild lawlessness. In a report published last
week, it documented incidents of torture, unlawful detentions and
forced disappearances.
For this reason, Ukraine's president has urged his military to ramp
up its counter offensive in the south. According to Sarah, He Levchenko
adviser to the office of the president. President is very clear with
this in the city. There are many Ukrainians.
Who were not able to be evacuated because the occupation was very
fast.
And these people like hostages now.
If we let Russian
Coupons to keep this territory under their control. It will let Russians
too.
Make roots deeper to have Russian currency. Russian laws. Russian
history, Russian school programs, Russian money
Everything can be changed. That is why we are looking forward to
have more weapons and to have this operation started.
Crane predicts offensive operations will be difficult to wage and
winter and is urging its allies to provide more weapons now before
Russia is able to solidify its substantial gains.
For the PBS news hour. I'm Simon Ostrovsky