A six-year-old lady is amongst seven individuals who died after a Russian missile strike on the historic metropolis of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine.
Oleksandr Lomako, town’s mayor, mentioned the quantity injured within the assault has risen from 90 to 117.
Individuals had been on their method to church to have a good time a spiritual vacation when the strike hit, Ukraine inside’s ministry has mentioned.
No less than 12 of the wounded are kids and 10 are law enforcement officials, the ministry added.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on Telegram whereas on a visit to Sweden: “A Russian missile hit proper within the centre of town, in our Chernihiv. A sq., the polytechnic college, a theatre.
“An abnormal Saturday, which Russia become a day of ache and loss.”
A brief video accompanying Mr Zelenskyy’s publish confirmed particles scattered throughout a sq. in entrance of the regional drama theatre, the place parked automobiles had been closely broken.
The video additionally briefly confirmed a physique slouched inside a automobile.
The inside ministry mentioned the roof of the drama theatre had been destroyed within the strike.
Mr Lomako wrote on Telegram: “This strike is one other battle crime by the occupiers towards the civilian inhabitants.
“It is a very quiet centre, many individuals and youngsters stroll right here at lunchtime in lovely climate.”
He additionally declared a nationwide interval of mourning, beginning at this time till 21 August.
Chernihiv is a metropolis of leafy boulevards and centuries-old church buildings about 145km (90 miles) north of the capital Kyiv.
Russia has attacked Ukrainian cities removed from the entrance line with missiles and drones as a part of the invasion it launched in February final 12 months.
Kyiv’s air drive mentioned early on Saturday the Ukrainian army had shot down 15 out of 17 Iranian-made Shahed drones
launched by Moscow in an in a single day strike.
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Rescue staff stroll previous town’s theatre after the missile strike
Pic: AP
It got here earlier than Mr Zelenskyy mentioned Ukraine had began discussions with Sweden about the potential of receiving Gripen fighter jets.
The Ukrainian president arrived in Sweden for a sequence of talks this morning – his first go to since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.
He got here earlier than Russia’s defence ministry mentioned it had destroyed a Ukrainian drone over Belgorod.
Pic: AP
The southern area, which sits near Russia’s border with Ukraine, has come underneath quite a few assaults in latest months.
Drones and missiles have typically been used to focus on the realm, however Kyiv has not accepted accountability for the strikes.
Russia claimed to have downed a drone there simply two days in the past.