Satellite imagery released on Tuesday showed the results of relentless and nearly constant Russian artillery strikes in eastern Ukraine that have changed the landscape of the region.
The images provided to the Washington Examiner by Maxar Technologies showed fields peppered with craters from artillery shells, hospitals surrounded by damaged buildings, and deployed Russian heavy artillery units in eastern Ukraine. The images were collected by Maxar on June 6.
UKRAINE HOPES TO BUY IRON DOME FROM ISRAEL
In the above image, taken northwest of the city of Slovyansk, in the Donetsk region, a field can be seen riddled with hundreds of craters from artillery strikes. It is unclear if the widespread shelling was the result of Ukrainian or Russian artillery fire or both.
Below, a massive bomb crater, with a 44-yard diameter, according to Maxar, can be seen, along with recent shelling and destroyed buildings in the town of Dovhenke.
The satellite images also show significant damage to buildings near a hospital in the city of Severodonetsk. The red cross indicating the hospital building can be seen in the image. Severodonetsk has been the focus of Russian attacks in the Luhansk province of the Donbas. Ukrainian forces have recently staged counterattacks against Russian troops attempting to occupy the city, according to Ukrainian officials.
The heavy artillery causing some of the destruction in Severodonetsk was also captured by Maxar’s satellites. Two field-deployed multiple-rocket launchers with rocket pods aimed toward the city can be seen 7 miles from Severodonetsk in one of the satellite images, according to Maxar. The company said the scorch marks behind one of the units are a sign of recent firing activity.
Towed artillery units were also visible, deployed less than 6 miles from Severodonetsk, according to Maxar.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., said on Tuesday that Russian forces are continuing attacks in several areas of eastern Ukraine but did not gain any additional territory on June 7.
