World Shocked as Russia Strikes Humanitarian Aid Center in Ukraine, Killing 26 - Thairath English
Russia launched an airstrike on a village in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, using large bombs to attack a school serving as a humanitarian aid center before bombing again where civilians were taking shelter. The latest death toll stands at 26.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly condemned Russia after an airstrike on the village of Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine on Monday, resulting in at least 26 deaths, 5 injuries, and 27 people initially reported missing.
Mikhailo Semikin, governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, revealed that the Russian military used at least nine 3,000-kilogram air bombs to strike the area, while Zelensky stated that the first target was a local school used as a humanitarian aid distribution point before Russia bombed again where civilians were sheltering.
Zelensky released video footage showing large bomb craters from the attack and rescue teams searching for victims amid the rubble. The death toll rose from an initial 18 to 24 confirmed by Ukraine's State Emergency Service, including two rescue workers and four police officers, before Zelensky announced the latest figure of 26 dead.
The Ukrainian leader said Russia was well aware that residents of this village regularly came to receive humanitarian aid weekly, condemning the attack as a grave atrocity and further proof that Russia does not seek to reduce the war's intensity.
Semikin described the event as a major tragedy for the village, with people still trapped under debris. Rescue teams continue searching for survivors but have had to halt operations several times due to Russian drone attacks nearby.
Authorities declared Tuesday a day of mourning throughout the Zaporizhzhia region to honor the victims of the attack.
Meanwhile, Zelensky spoke of hopes to end the war, recalling earlier positive signs when Russia and Ukraine cooperated to evacuate civilians from the Russian-occupied southern city of Oleshky during a temporary ceasefire, coordinated by Melania Trump, the U.S. First Lady. However, the latest attack signals the opposite, as Russia continues its campaign of killing civilians.
Regarding peace efforts, Steve Witkoff, special envoy to President Donald Trump, revealed on platform X that representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. are scheduled to resume talks next week in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Negotiations have been suspended since February, while Russia has intensified attacks amid Ukraine's shortage of Western-supplied missile defense systems needed to counter missile strikes.
Witkoff stated that the new talks will focus on post-war security guarantees, de-escalation, humanitarian aid, and pathways toward peace. Additionally, U.S. negotiators will meet with European and NATO officials in Brussels this week.
