Russian glide bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia kills at least 15 people

Russia launched a series of five glide bombs at the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, resulting in at least 15 casualties, including three children, on Saturday morning. President Volodymyr Zelensky and emergency services confirmed the fatalities, which also left 16 others injured and numerous missing presumed trapped under rubble.

The affected residential buildings were situated in the southeastern part of the city. President Zelensky reported that 13 additional regions had suffered strikes overnight. He vowed that Ukraine would respond to these Russian actions.

Photos and videos captured the aftermath of one of the strikes, revealing a largely destroyed apartment block where the ground floor had been hit, causing the upper floors to collapse. Acting Mayor Regina Kharchenko, who reported the incident from the scene, stated that over 80 workers were actively engaged in search and rescue operations, which would continue throughout the day.

She emphasized that Russia had targeted "our very heart" and that the loss of the city's youngest citizens was particularly devastating for their families and the community.

Zelensky harshly criticized a recent deal between the United States and Russia to import Russian diesel fuel, deeming it a "gift to President Vladimir Putin" that effectively funds the ongoing war. In response to the strikes, Zelensky insisted that Russia would understand the necessity of halting the conflict, urging it to bear the consequences of its actions.

The city of Zaporizhzhia, home to more than 700,000 residents, is situated within striking distance of the front line and has frequently been targeted by Russian drones and missiles. This latest attack is part of a recent surge in Russian assaults causing significant civilian casualties. For instance, on Thursday, a Russian glide bomb attack killed at least 33 people aboard two civilian buses in Kramatorsk, located in the eastern Donetsk region.

Three days prior, a Russian missile strike in Pryluky resulted in 22 fatalities, including five children.

The United Nations reported a 55% increase in civilian casualties across Ukraine during the first eight months of the year. Russia has consistently targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure, notably ramping up strikes during winter months since the full-scale Russian invasion began in 2022. Ukraine, in retaliation, has also launched attacks against Russia's infrastructure, including recent strikes on data centers operated by the tech company Yandex.