In a devastating attack during the day, at least 17 people, including a child, were killed in Kostyantynivka, a town in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sharply criticized the assault, calling it a “deliberate” act against a “peaceful city” and blaming Russia for the violence.
The fatal incident occurred on a busy market street and is considered rare due to its timing in broad daylight. Witnesses captured videos showing an intense orange explosion at the end of a busy street where people were shopping. Russia has not yet commented on the incident.
President Zelensky warned that the death toll could rise further, saying that dealing with Russia meant “turning a blind eye to the audacity of evil”. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko announced that search and rescue operations had concluded, confirming at least 32 injuries and damage to a market, pharmacy and shops.
This brutal attack is one of the worst against Ukrainian civilians in recent months. The Prosecutor General of Ukraine has opened a criminal investigation into violations of the laws and customs of war.
The attack coincides with a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who pledged more support for Ukraine’s military and economy during his meeting with Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba.
Kostyantynivka, which is near an active front line, has seen multiple attacks this year, with fatalities and damage to residential and commercial areas. Despite the ongoing hostilities, Russian officials have not claimed responsibility and have previously denied targeting civilians.
This article is sourced from and written by AI.
Track and stay informed about AI-generated news:
English 
Español de Venezuela