Image Credits-Reuters
A Russian missile struck a busy supermarket in the frontline city of Kostiantynivka in Ukraine’s Donetsk region on Friday, leaving at least 14 people dead and 43 others injured, according to Ukrainian officers. The ruinous attack marks one of the deadliest incidents in the region in recent weeks, pressing the ongoing pitfall for civilians caught in the crossfire of the conflict.
The missile hit during peak hours, targeting both the supermarket and a nearby post office, Ukrainian authorities reported. The blast caused expansive damage, reducing the supermarket to a mound of smoldering debris, trapping several people underneath. Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency services working frantically to find survivors amidst the debris.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, pertaining to it as an act of terror. “Russian terrorists hit an ordinary supermarket and a post office. There are people under the rubble,” Zelenskyy wrote, emphasizing the indiscriminate nature of the strike against civilian targets.
Local residers described the scene as chaotic, with shattered glass and debris scattered across the area. “It was like an earthquake,” one substantiation recounted. “Everything shook, and then we heard people screaming.”
The Donetsk region has been a focal point of intense fighting since the conflict began, with Kostiantynivka located near the front lines. This latest strike underscores the persistent threat to civilians as Russian forces continue to target infrastructure and populated areas in their campaign.
The international community has swiftly condemned the attack. The United Nations called for an immediate investigation into the incident, labeling it a potential war crime. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have vowed to hold Russia accountable, reiterating their calls for increased support from global allies.
As rescue efforts continue, the death toll is anticipated to rise, with officials advising that the full extent of the tragedy may not yet be known.