Russian missile attack kills eight in Zaporizhzhia
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A Russian missile attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia has killed at least eight people and injured 22 others, including a child, according to local authorities. The strike, which occurred on Tuesday, targeted a private clinic and nearby residential buildings in the city center, causing significant damage and casualties. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to search for survivors, and fears persist that more victims may be trapped beneath the rubble.
As of Wednesday morning, the search and rescue operation was still ongoing, with police reporting that up to five people could still be buried under the wreckage. Emergency responders managed to pull two women from the debris overnight, and they are currently receiving treatment in a hospital. The situation remains dire as rescuers continue their efforts, and there are concerns that the death toll could rise further as the operation progresses.
Zaporizhzhia’s regional head, Ivan Fedorov, stated that Russia most likely used a ballistic missile, possibly an Iskander, in the attack. The Russian Ministry of Defence has yet to comment on the incident. Initial reports from regional authorities indicated that six people were killed in the strike, but later updates confirmed the deaths of additional victims. One of the injured women succumbed to her injuries in the hospital, and the body of another victim was retrieved from the debris.
In response to the attack, Fedorov expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, vowing that Russia would be held accountable for every Ukrainian life lost or harmed. He declared, “We will not forgive!” as he reaffirmed Ukraine’s determination to seek justice for the innocent lives lost in the assault.
In light of the attack, a day of mourning has been declared in the Zaporizhzhia region. The assault highlights the ongoing threat posed by Russian missile and drone attacks, which have become a nearly daily occurrence in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have long pleaded with their Western allies for more advanced air defense systems to counter these missile strikes, which continue to claim innocent lives across the country.
On the same day as the missile strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his country’s urgent need for better air defense capabilities. “We don’t have enough systems to protect our country from Russian missiles,” Zelensky said, adding, “But our partners have these systems. Again and again, we repeat that air defense systems should save lives, not gather dust in warehouses.” His comments reflect Ukraine’s frustration with the lack of sufficient protection against Russia’s aerial bombardment.
In a separate incident on Tuesday, both Ukraine and Russia accused each other of launching a drone attack on a convoy of vehicles carrying experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The convoy was en route to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), the largest nuclear facility in Europe, which has been under Russian control since shortly after the invasion began in February 2022. One of the IAEA vehicles was severely damaged in the attack, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi condemned the attack as “unacceptable” and reiterated the agency’s commitment to preventing a nuclear accident amid the ongoing conflict.
Russia has controlled the ZNPP since the early days of its invasion, but Ukraine continues to hold parts of the surrounding region. Zaporizhzhia is one of four southeastern Ukrainian regions that Russia claims to have annexed since 2022, although it has not fully established control over any of them. In addition to the annexation of Zaporizhzhia, Moscow also illegally annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in 2014, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
The missile attack in Zaporizhzhia serves as a stark reminder of the continued dangers posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While Ukraine continues to battle on multiple fronts, the need for enhanced military support, including air defense systems, is increasingly urgent. The loss of life and the ongoing destruction in cities like Zaporizhzhia highlight the human cost of the conflict, with civilians caught in the crossfire of Russia’s relentless assault. As Ukraine’s pleas for more advanced weaponry continue, the international community faces growing pressure to provide the necessary resources to help Ukraine defend itself and protect its people from further harm.
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