Dhaka, Nov 03 (V7N)- At least 26 people have been killed in a Russian airstrike on a village in Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, according to Reuters.
The attack took place on Monday (November 2) at a school being used as a humanitarian aid distribution centre for local residents.
Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported that the dead included two rescue workers and four police officers. Five other people, including two rescue workers, were injured and are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said humanitarian assistance was distributed at the school every Monday, and local residents had gathered there to collect supplies when the attack occurred.
According to Zelenskyy, several bombs struck the school, followed by a second attack targeting the shelter area where people had taken refuge.
Condemning the strike, the Ukrainian president accused Russia of choosing to kill people instead of pursuing peace.
Meanwhile, Regina Kharchenko, an official of the Zaporizhzhia City Council, said that 27 people remained missing following the attack. Emergency response teams were continuing search and rescue operations to locate people believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
Following the deadly incident, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for Russia to be excluded from international sporting competitions.
The attack adds to the mounting civilian casualties and humanitarian challenges amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.
END/SMA/AJ
