Russian Bombing Kills 24 People at Ukraine Aid Centre in Zaporizhzhia

The update

At least 24 people were killed when Russian bombs hit a school used as a humanitarian aid centre in Komyshuvakha, in Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region, on Monday. Five people were injured and 27 were reported missing, regional head Mykhailo Semikin said. Ukraine’s emergency service said rescuers and police officers were among the dead. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a first strike hit the school, then a second hit where people were sheltering. People remained under the rubble, and rescue work was halted several times because of Russian drone attacks nearby. Russia’s military had not publicly commented.

Why it matters

Zelenskyy said residents remaining in Komyshuvakha received aid there every week and Russia could not have been unaware of that. He called the attack utterly horrific and said it showed Russia does not want de-escalation, coming after a joint evacuation from the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky had raised hope that peace steps were possible.

What to watch

Rescuers will continue searching the rubble, so the toll could rise. Watch for any Russian response, for confirmation of those still missing, and for international reaction to Zelenskyy’s comments.

Sources

• bbc.co.uk — confirms the toll, location, second strike and halted rescue work
• aljazeera.com — confirms 24 killed, five injured, 27 missing and Zelenskyy’s remarks