Shelling of Orikhiv

The city of Orikhiv in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Oblast has come under frequent artillery shelling by Russian forces since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Shelling of Orikhiv
Part of the southern Ukraine campaign of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Orikhiv City Council (located in a 19th century mansion) after shelling on 21 May 2022
Date2022 – present
Location
Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine
Result Ongoing
Belligerents
Russia Ukraine
Commanders and leaders
Alexander Romanchuk[1]
 Oleksandr Tarnavskyi[1]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown
30 civilians killed

Background

In the first days of the invasion, Russian forces were able to take over many towns in the south, including the cities of Melitopol,[2] Berdiansk[3] and Enerhodar.[4] Orikhiv and villages around it were subjected to strong artillery and aerial attacks, but Russian forces were not able to capture it.[5]

Shelling

On May 7, Ukrainian sources claimed that Russians shelled the hospital in the city.[6] After that came numerous reports of Russian shelling taking a heavy toll on the city, destroying its gymnasium and city council (located in a 19th century mansion) on May 21.[7][8]

During a Russian attack on Orikhiv on 26 June, a woman was killed when a shell hit her house, and her injured husband was taken to the hospital.[9][10] Further shelling of Orikhiv and Preobrazhenka resulted in a number of elderly residents being injured and one dying.[11]

On 10 July 2023, a Russian glide bomb hit a school building being used to distribute aid, killing 7 people and injuring 11. The Ukrainian General Prosecutor's office said the incident was being investigated as a war crime.[12]

On 21 February 2024, a Russian 550-pound glide bomb tore through the dome of the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary located in the center of Orikhiv. The explosion caused the stained-glass windows to be destroyed with shrapnel being scattered all over the edifice. An icon of Jesus was reported to have survived the explosion.[13]

References
  1. Miller, Sergio (1 October 2022). "Tactical Lessons: The Battle of Orikhiv". Wavellroom. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  2. "Russia says it has captured Ukraine's Melitopol". Reuters. 26 February 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  3. "Бердянськ захопили бойовики, у Харкові та Сумах – тиша: Арестович про ситуацію в Україні | Факти ICTV". 2022-02-28. Archived from the original on 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  4. "Ukraine after 11th night of war: Mayor killed, towns taken, Moscow promises civilian corridors to Russia". Baltic News Network. 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  5. Schwirtz, Michael; Addario, Lynsey (2022-04-26). "Standing in the path of war, a small Ukrainian town braces as Russians advance". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  6. "Російські війська завдали удару по лікарні Оріхова, – ФОТО | Перший Запорiзький". 1news.zp.ua. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  7. "В Оріхові в результаті ворожих обстрілів зруйновано гімназію та старовинну будівлю міськвиконкому". 061.ua - Сайт міста Запоріжжя (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  8. "Храми, палаци та маєтки. Найкрасивіші пам'ятки України, зруйновані Росією під час війни". BBC. 2023-08-13.
  9. Roshchina, Olena (27 June 2023). "Woman killed in attack on Orikhiv, her husband hospitalised". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  10. "Woman killed, three injured in Zaporizhzhia region due to shelling over past day". Ukrinform. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  11. "Russian troops strike at Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia, killing, wounding civilians". Ukrinform. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  12. "Russian attack on humanitarian aid point kills seven, Ukraine says". 10 July 2023.
  13. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/apr/14/once-center-of-ukraines-hopes-town-of-orikhiv-now-/

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