Local Ukrainian officials have reported that at least 21 people were killed in a Russian airstrike on the village of Yarova in eastern Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the victims were primarily civilians who were collecting their pensions at the time of the attack. The head of the Donetsk regional administration, Vadym Filashkin, indicated that the number of injured is as high as the death toll, with emergency services present at the site.
Yarova is located north of Sloviansk and is situated near the front lines, where Russian forces are reportedly advancing slowly in the region. If confirmed, this incident could be among the deadliest attacks on Ukrainian civilians in recent weeks as Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches its 42nd month.
In related events, 23 people were killed in airstrikes on Kyiv at the end of August, marking one of the largest assaults on the capital during the ongoing conflict. President Zelensky described the recent attack on Kyiv as particularly severe, targeting a major government building, and emphasized the need for international awareness and response.
The Yarova strike occurred at 12:30 PM on a Tuesday as pensions were being distributed, according to Filashkin. The village is also strategically placed on a key railway line in Donetsk, approximately 6 kilometers from Novoselivka, where Russian forces are reportedly advancing.
In addition, Ukraine’s state emergency service reported three fatalities from prior Russian shelling in other Donetsk settlements. President Zelensky urged the global community, including the United States, Europe, and the G20, to take action in response to the attacks. There has yet to be an official statement from the Russian military regarding the incident.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jz08j8313o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss