Zaporizhzhia, Oct 11 (V7N)- At least 20 people, including four children, have been killed and 32 others injured after Russia launched five glide bombs at the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, the BBC reported.
Local officials said the bombs struck residential buildings on Saturday morning. Several people are believed to remain missing beneath the rubble as rescue teams continue searching for survivors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, describing it as Moscow's “gratitude” for a deal announced by US President Donald Trump the previous night that eased sanctions related to Russian diesel imports.
Zelensky said another 13 regions of Ukraine had also come under attack overnight. He argued that the strikes demonstrated Russia was treating steps to ease pressure as an opportunity to continue its war against Ukraine.
Photographs and videos from Zaporizhzhia showed a residential apartment building almost completely destroyed by the bombing.
Acting Mayor Regina Kharchenko, speaking to Ukrainian television from the scene, said the ground floor of the building had been struck, causing the upper floors to collapse.
More than 80 emergency workers were involved in the rescue operation, Kharchenko said, adding that the work was expected to continue throughout the day.
Rescuers have been periodically pausing their work to listen for signs of life beneath the debris, hoping to locate and rescue anyone still trapped.
The attack adds to the continuing toll of civilian casualties and damage to residential infrastructure as Russia's war against Ukraine continues.
END/SMA/AJ
