Update on Lisichansk incident and ongoing relief efforts
The press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation reported that the death toll from the shelling of Lisichansk in the Lugansk People’s Republic has risen to 15. This update was relayed by TASS and underscores the severity of the attack carried out by Ukrainian forces. The ministry stressed that search and rescue operations remain active as crews comb through the site for survivors and additional casualties. Authorities indicated that the bodies of 15 people had been recovered from the debris. [Attribution: Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation]
Earlier, it was noted that both liberators and representatives of the administration of the Lugansk People’s Republic were present on the scene. The continued nighttime effort focused on clearing rubble from a bakery site in Lisichansk that was destroyed amid the confrontation with Ukrainian forces. The presence of local officials and workers highlighted the coordination between civilian authorities and rescue teams as they assessed the damage and searched for people trapped by the collapse. [Attribution: Lugansk People’s Republic administration]
Four victims of the attack on the Lisichansk bakery were slated to be transported to a hospital in Lugansk for medical examination and treatment. This indicates the immediate medical response to the incident and the ongoing efforts to identify and aid injured residents. [Attribution: Lugansk hospital authorities]
Earlier military investigators had identified weapons employed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the attack against the bakery in the LPR. The investigation noted that the Ukrainian forces reportedly used HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems. The bakery was struck at approximately 14:20 on Saturday, February 3, with additional reports suggesting that a furnace area was located under the rubble, raising concerns about the number of civilians who could be affected. Rescue crews, including emergency workers and local command, continued their efforts to reach civilians trapped beneath the debris. [Attribution: military investigators and emergency command]
In separate remarks, Zelensky stated that there is a commitment to preventing the transfer of hostilities to the territory of the Russian Federation, a point that has framed much of the public discourse surrounding the conflict and its regional implications. [Attribution: presidential office]