**Russian Drone Strikes Intensify in Ukraine**
A 14-year-old girl was killed when a Russian drone exploded into her bedroom. Maria Troyanivska‘s mother, Viktoria, said the drone flew through an open window and caused a fire that she and her husband couldn’t put out.
Maria died immediately from the explosion, and then burned in her bed. Her parents had to bury her in a closed coffin because of the severity of the damage.
**Drone Strikes on the Rise**
Russia has launched over 2,000 drones at Ukraine in October alone, according to the country‘s general staff. This is a record number for this war. In comparison, Russia fired around 1,100 drones during the previous three-month period.
The majority of these drones are Iranian-designed Shaheds, which are cheap and easy to build. They can cause significant damage and death, and Ukraine’s air defense units are struggling to keep up with the numbers.
**Every Night, a Lottery**
Sgt Mykhailo Shamanov, a spokesperson for Kyiv city military administration, said that every night it’s a lottery – where the drone hits, where it’s shot down, and what happens. He hopes they can continue to intercept the drones, but knows it’s getting harder.
**Ukrainians Wait with Bated Breath**
The people of Ukraine are nervously waiting to see how US President-elect Trump will approach the war when he re-enters office. They know that their depleted forces need help from Western allies to fight against Russia’s invasion.
**A Family’s Life Changed Forever**
Maria’s parents, Viktoria and Volodymyr, say their lives are now divided into before and after their daughter’s death. They have had to leave their home because of the destruction caused by the drone attack. They sleep in a corridor at night to avoid being hit again.
Volodymyr said he doesn’t understand why this war started or what it hopes to achieve. “It’s just some ambitions of sick people,” he said.
Read More @ www.bbc.com