Key Highlights
- BBC Verify reports on Russian strikes in Ukraine targeting Kyiv and southern regions.
- Ukrainian authorities confirm four deaths from overnight attacks as Russia launches over 400 drones and nearly 20 missiles.
- Resident doctors in England begin a five-day strike, claiming their pay is still lower than in 2008 after adjusting for inflation.
- BBC Verify uses satellite imagery to verify recent blasts in the Russian city of Novorossiysk following an alleged Ukrainian attack.
Russian Strikes Continue: Ukraine’s Capital and Southern Regions under Assault
Ukraine has reported further military strikes from Russia, with the capital city Kyiv and southern regions like Chornomorsk in the Odesa region being targeted. The attacks, involving over 400 drones and nearly 20 missiles according to the Ukrainian Air Force, have caused significant damage and civilian casualties.
Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, confirmed that nearly all districts in the capital were hit by missiles and drones. Vital signs from various medical facilities and energy infrastructure have been reported damaged, along with residential buildings.
Additionally, a local market was struck, leading to two fatalities and at least seven injuries.
The attacks come as Russia aims to intensify pressure on Ukrainian cities during the cold weather season. The full-scale invasion began in February 2022, reaching its peak of drone and missile launches towards Ukrainian regions in July of that year.
Expert Analysis: Verifying Blast Near Novorossiysk
BBC Verify has been utilizing open-source intelligence, satellite imagery, and fact-checking to verify recent explosions in the Russian Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk. The verification team confirmed two videos showing a fireball on the southern coast and an image of a blast near the Novorossiysk port. Nasa’s Firms platform also picked up heat signatures matching these locations.
These explosions have caused damage, including debris damaging at least four apartment blocks and two private homes in Novorossiysk.
Three crew members were injured when fragments hit an oil depot and a cargo container terminal. The Russian Defence Ministry reported intercepting 216 Ukrainian drones, although Ukraine has not yet confirmed the strikes.
Dr Sam Rigby from the University of Sheffield suggests that the blast could have been caused by a homemade device about the size of a “car boot or a suitcase”. He explains that the fireball and other evidence indicate the explosive contained or set-off a large amount of combustible material. However, the lack of shrapnel found at the scene does not rule out the possibility of a deliberate use of explosives over an accident.
Healthcare Struggles: Doctor Strike in England
The British Medical Association (BMA) has initiated a five-day strike by resident doctors in England, with Dr Tom Dolphin, chair of the BMA Council, stating that their pay is still 19% lower than it was in 2008 when adjusted using the Retail Prices Index. The Consumer Prices Index shows a 7% decrease compared to 2008. Since 2023, resident doctors’ pay has increased by 28.9%, but they are offered only 5.4% for the current financial year.
The BMA claims that applications for training posts have surged, doubling from 10,402 to 20,803 between 2023 and 2025, highlighting a “particular rise” in international medical graduates.
The union has called for priority to be given to UK medical school graduates.
The government’s offer of expanding training places by 2,000 over the next three years, with 1,000 added this year, aims to address some of these concerns but does not meet the demands of the striking doctors. The strike is expected to affect hospital operations and patient care in England.
Verification Team’s Role: Ensuring Accuracy
BBC Verify uses various tools and methods to ensure accuracy in their reporting, including Nasa’s Firms platform for verifying images and videos. This technology helps track the spread of wildfires but is also crucial in identifying active fires from explosions caused by military strikes.
Emma Pengelly, BBC Verify journalist, notes that these verification techniques are vital in confirming events like those seen in Novorossiysk and Kyiv. The use of satellite imagery and open-source intelligence allows the team to cross-check information and provide accurate reports on complex geopolitical situations.
The team encourages public engagement by inviting suggestions for future investigations or concerns about disinformation, emphasizing their commitment to providing reliable journalism amid ongoing conflicts and strikes.
