Russian air strike on aid distribution site in Zaporizhzhia region kills 18

Russian forces carried out air strikes on Monday on the village of Komyshuvakha in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, hitting a school where humanitarian aid was being distributed to local residents. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said 18 people were known to have died. He presented the attack as evidence that Russia is not seeking to reduce tensions in its war against Ukraine.

A repeated attack

According to Zelensky, the village was hit several times from the morning. The first air strike was followed by a second one using nine more bombs, aimed directly at a shelter where people were present.

The president said five people were wounded. Rescue work and the search for people continue at the site, which he described as very difficult. The armed forces, rescuers and special service personnel are involved. He offered condolences to the relatives of the dead.

Zelensky's assessment

The president stressed that Russian forces could not have been unaware that the remaining residents of Komyshuvakha receive humanitarian aid at that exact location every week. In his view, this shows Russia wants neither de-escalation nor real justice.

Zelensky recalled that after the humanitarian operation in Oleshky there was a moment when further steps might have pointed to a possible peace. With such attacks, he said, Russia sends the opposite signal and is counting on more killings.

The president called on the world to give Russia a strong and firm response and to support Ukraine. He said life must be protected.