A Russian missile attack killed at least 13 residents and damaged buildings and municipal infrastructure in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv on Wednesday, local officials said.
The city’s acting mayor, Oleksandr Lomako, said three explosions ripped through a busy part of the city just after 09:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), hitting a multi-story building.
“Unfortunately, Russia continues to engage in terrorist activity against the civilians and civilian infrastructure, as confirmed by this strike on Chernihiv once again,” Lomako told Ukrainian TV.
He said that several buildings, social infrastructure, and many private cars were damaged. Vyacheslav Chaus, the regional governor, wrote on the Telegram messaging service that at least 13 people were killed and more than 20 injured.
The head of a regional hospital in Chernihiv said at least 18 people wounded in the attack were being treated there. He urged residents to donate blood as they transported more injured civilians to other hospitals.
Unverified social media videos showed flames and columns of black smoke rising over the historic city that lies about 150 kilometers from the capital, Kyiv. People ran from a bus to take cover. Emergency services and medics rushed to the strike site, officials said.
Russia, which denies targeting civilians, invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has launched thousands of missiles and drones on Ukrainian cities and villages in attacks that have killed hundreds of civilians.
In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian cities, targeting the country’s power sector and other critical infrastructure.
On Wednesday, Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, reiterated Kyiv’s plea for more air defense.
“Unfortunately, Russia continues to engage in terrorist activity against the civilians and civilian infrastructure, as confirmed by this strike on Chernihiv once again,” Lomako told Ukrainian TV.
He said that several buildings, social infrastructure, and many private cars were damaged. Vyacheslav Chaus, the regional governor, wrote on the Telegram messaging service that at least 13 people were killed and more than 20 injured.
The head of a regional hospital in Chernihiv said at least 18 people wounded in the attack were being treated there. He urged residents to donate blood as they transported more injured civilians to other hospitals.
Unverified social media videos showed flames and columns of black smoke rising over the historic city that lies about 150 kilometers from the capital, Kyiv. People ran from a bus to take cover. Emergency services and medics rushed to the strike site, officials said.
Russia, which denies targeting civilians, invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and has launched thousands of missiles and drones on Ukrainian cities and villages in attacks that have killed hundreds of civilians.
In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian cities, targeting the country’s power sector and other critical infrastructure.
On Wednesday, Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, reiterated Kyiv’s plea for more air defense.
Russian terrorists attacked Chernihiv. Сivilians were killed and injured.
— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) April 17, 2024
The terror must be stopped. Air and missile defense is what Ukraine needs right now.#UkraineNeedsAirDefence
Source: Reuters
