Russian bombing of aid centre in Ukraine's Komyshuvakha kills 24 people, Kyiv says

A Russian bombing of a site distributing humanitarian aid in the Ukrainian village of Komyshuvakha has killed 24 people, Kyiv says. Ukraine's state emergencies service, known as DSNS, confirmed the toll, which includes two rescuers and four police officers. The attack carries political weight as well, because Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky linked it to the chances of easing tensions in the war that Russia launched as a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Death toll revised

Zelensky first put the number of dead at 18, but DSNS later reported 24 confirmed deaths. The Russian military has not publicly commented.

Zelensky's reaction

Writing on social media, the Ukrainian president said Russia could not have been unaware that the residents who stayed in Komyshuvakha received humanitarian aid there every week. In his view, this is another proof that Russia does not want any de-escalation.

Zelensky recalled a recent successful joint Russian-Ukrainian operation to evacuate civilians from Oleshky, a southern city under Russian occupation. He said there had been a moment when the next steps could have shown that peace is possible. With such killings, he argued, Russia is sending the exact opposite signal and is counting on further killings.

Rescue efforts

Semikin called the attack a terrible tragedy for the village and confirmed that people are still under the rubble. Rescue teams are working at the scene, but they have had to stop their operation several times because of Russian drone attacks in the area.