At least twelve people, including two minors, have lost their lives and another nineteen have been injured after an attack launched this Saturday by the Armed Forces of Ukraine against a locality under Russian control in the Ukrainian region of Zaporiyia, in the east of the country.
According to pro-Russian authorities, the bombing occurred over the coastal area of Kirilivka, occupied by Moscow's troops since the early phases of the invasion, and has left a significant level of destruction in buildings and civilian infrastructure.
"The personnel of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has completed the rescue operations in Kirilivka. Unfortunately, the body of another victim has been recovered from the rubble. As a consequence of the brutal attack, 19 civilians were injured and 12 died. Two people, including a child, were rescued from the rubble," indicated the pro-Russian governor of Zaporiyia, Evgeni Balitski, in a statement.
Balitski has insisted on holding Kiev responsible for the attack and has described its impact as especially devastating for the civilian population of the locality, where homes and public spaces frequented by families have been affected.
"This is an atrocious crime, characteristic only of the Ukrainian regime. Unfortunately, for them this is a war in which they are incapable of treating equally and, therefore, they attack civilians, women, and children," condemned Balitski in a previous statement.
In the same vein, the pro-Russian leader has emphasized that the attack occurred far from the front line and has accused Ukrainian forces of trying to sow panic among residents of areas controlled by Russia.
In this regard, he conveyed his "sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones." "All possible assistance will be provided to the injured and to the families of the victims," he concluded.
The authorities installed by Moscow in Zaporiyia assure that emergency services are still assessing the material damages and that aid points have been set up for the displaced and the families of the deceased and injured.