The Russian military has in a latest attack on Ukraine shot down two combat helicopters.
The President Vladimir Putin’s forces have continued to mount pressure on Ukraine following the leader’s directive on Thursday, 24 February, Naija News reports.
Russia’s Defence Ministry spokesperson, Igor Konashenkov, in a statement issued on Thursday evening, said the Russian forces fired on 81 military targets yesterday with Moscow intensifying its attacks on Ukraine.
The Russian military had reported the targeting of 29 objects the day before.
As well as the Mi-8 and Mi-24 combat helicopters, the targets hit on Thursday included Ukrainian military command posts and bases, as well as heavy artillery and rocket launchers in the Donbas, Konashenkov said.
In addition, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet had destroyed a training camp for “foreign mercenaries” near Odesa, he said.
Naija News understands that the United States Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield has earlier described the adoption of the resolution to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council as an “important and historic moment”.
Thomas-Greenfield spoke on Thursday at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) following the vote in response to Russian forces’ alleged killing of civilians in Ukraine.
The United States was the last country to speak during the day-long meeting, Naija News understands.
“It was not only about accountability for Russia but also about standing with the people of Ukraine,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
“Today, the international community took one collective step in the right direction.
“We ensured a persistent and egregious human rights violator will not be allowed to occupy a position of leadership on human rights at the UN,” he added.
Thomas-Greenfield said the Member States should continue to hold Russia accountable for this unprovoked, unjust, unconscionable war – and to do everything in our power to stand with the people of Ukraine.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News