Russian bombing kills 24 people at Ukraine aid centre, Kyiv says

At least 24 people lost their lives in a Russian bombing of a Ukrainian aid center, according to Kyiv. The attack in the village of Komyshuvakha, located in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, left 18 people who were waiting for humanitarian aid dead and 5 injured, while 27 remain missing.

President Volodymyr Zelensky described the assault as "utterly horrific," stating that Russia intentionally targeted the village to prevent any de-escalation in the conflict. Following the initial strike on a local school used for aid, a second attack hit the shelter where people had taken refuge. Zelensky shared a video showing the destruction, including a massive crater left by the explosion.

The Ukrainian president emphasized that the victims were regular recipients of humanitarian assistance, highlighting Russia's unwillingness to engage in peace talks. He noted that after a successful joint Russian-Ukrainian operation to evacuate civilians from the Russia-occupied city of Oleshky, Russia's actions in Komyshuvakha sent the opposite signal, indicating their intent to continue causing casualties.

Regional head Mykhailo Semikin confirmed that rescue teams were on the ground, working to rescue those still trapped under the rubble. The Russian military has not issued a public statement regarding the incident. Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.