Ukrainians remain defiant against Russian aggression - Steve Cardownie

My relatives, who live in a small town just outside Kyiv, are still full of optimism, despite the renewed missile and drone attacks throughout Ukraine.

Rescue workers evacuate an injured woman from a multi-storey residential house destroyed by a Russian strike in Kyivyesterday. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Speaking to them over the weekend, they did not sound disheartened and reiterated their steely resolve to defy Putin and thwart his ambition to subjugate Ukraine.

Some of the latest develop-ments have come as no surprise. It was inevitable that Moscow would intensify its attacks after being humiliated by Ukraine’s recent successful mission when it destroyed several aircraft deep in Russian territory.

Deploying drones from lorries parked just outside the targeted airfields was a master stroke which took the Kremlin completely by surprise.

In another development, UK intelligence believes that more than 6000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded while fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region, which amounts to more than half of the 11,000 troops originally deployed.

More young men sent to their deaths by one dictator supporting another.

Given recent events it come as no surprise that the two sides are no closer to any temporary ceasefire agreement as the first step towards ending the war, which is obviously not good news for those caught up in it.

My in-laws will have to endure further hardships before peace is restored and they can return to the lives they led before Russia’s illegal invasion.