The number of dead from the attack launched on Monday by the Russian Army against a school converted into a humanitarian aid center in the Ukrainian region of Zaporiyia, in the east of the country and partially occupied since the invasion began in February 2022, has risen to 31, according to local authorities confirmed this Wednesday.
The governor of Zaporiyia, Mijailo Semikin, indicated in a message on social media that "the death toll from the Russian attack against Komishuvaya has risen to 31," before denouncing that "the enemy attacked the city insidiously at the moment when people were receiving humanitarian aid in a community resilience center".
"It was a combined attack. The Russians launched at least nine bombardments. First, they launched FAB-500 guided bombs. Then they used FAB-3000," he stressed, while detailing that "the FAB-3000 is a three-ton bomb that contains almost a ton and a half of explosives". "This type of weaponry is used to destroy high-strength concrete fortifications and bunkers", he specified.
"After a direct hit, the concrete structure of the underground center collapsed. At that moment, there were ordinary people there who had come in search of help", Semikin stated, underscoring that these people "did not go to a military facility or a combat position, but to a place where they expected to receive support".
For this reason, he emphasized that Russia used against the civilian population "air bombs designed to destroy high-strength fortifications". "It is a terrible tragedy for the entire Zaporiyia region", the governor concluded.
The Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenski, described the attack on Monday as "absolutely horrifying" and stressed that "the Russians once again demonstrate that they hate Ukraine, everything that is here". "If Russia had really wanted a de-escalation after Oleshki, it was the time to take humanitarian steps. We have proposed it, but Russia keeps killing", he said, in reference to the local ceasefire of recent days in that locality.