Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in a Telegram publish that the variety of victims was “unimaginable”, citing studies that greater than 1,000 civilians had been inside on the time of the assault.
Minutes later, Kyryl Tymoshenko, deputy head of the presidential workplace, mentioned in a Telegram publish that a minimum of two had been lifeless and about 20 had been harm, with 9 in critical situation.
Scores of civilians are feared killed or injured after a Russian missile hit a crowded purchasing centre within the central Ukrainian metropolis of Kremenchuk, officers mentioned.
Mr Zelenskyy mentioned the goal introduced “no risk to the Russian military” and had “no strategic worth”.
He accused of Russia of sabotaging “folks’s makes an attempt to dwell a standard life, which make the occupiers so offended”.
The strike got here the day after Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for the primary time in weeks, with missiles hanging a minimum of two residential buildings.
In the meantime, Russia is mounting an all-out assault on the final Ukrainian stronghold within the japanese Luhansk area, “pouring fireplace” on the town of Lysychansk from the bottom and air, the native governor has mentioned.
Serhiy Haidai mentioned Russian forces had been pounding Lysychansk after capturing the neighbouring metropolis of Sievierodonetsk in latest days.
It’s a part of a stepped-up Russian offensive to wrest the broader Donbas area from Ukrainian authorities management in what western consultants say has turn into the brand new primary purpose of President Vladimir Putin’s struggle in Ukraine, now in its fifth month.
“They’re pouring fireplace on the town each from the air and from the bottom. After the takeover of Sievierodonetsk, the enemy military has concentrated all its forces on capturing (our) final stronghold within the Luhansk area: Lysychansk,” Mr Haidai advised the Related Press.
The Russians are attempting to blockade the town from the south, “destroying every thing that their artillery and a number of rocket launchers can attain”, he added.
In latest weeks, Russian troops have captured a number of villages and cities south east of Lysychansk, and are attempting to halt entry to the town from the south.
To the west, the mayor of the town of Sloviansk — probably the following main battleground — mentioned Russian forces fired cluster munitions on the town after daybreak, together with one which hit a residential neighbourhood.
Authorities mentioned the numbers of lifeless and injured are nonetheless to be confirmed.
Ukrainian forces have spent weeks consolidating their defences round Sloviansk out of concern it could possibly be the following massive Russian goal if Lysychansk falls.
