The Ukrainian authorities reported this Monday that at least 26 people have lost their lives in a Russian attack against a school used as a humanitarian aid center in the Zaporizhzhia region. This bombing is part of a new series of attacks that, according to Kiev, demonstrates that Moscow has no intention of reducing the intensity of the conflict despite the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in the locality of Oleshki, in the Kherson region.
The Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenski, has confirmed the number of deaths in the "absolutely horrible" attack in Komishuvaya and has also reported five more individuals hospitalized and at least another five trapped under the rubble.
"The Russians demonstrate again and again that they hate Ukraine, everything that is here. If Russia had really wanted a de-escalation after Oleshki, it was the moment to take humanitarian steps. We have proposed it, but Russia keeps killing," he denounced in a message published on social networks.
Zelenski has highlighted that "the Russians knew that this was a building for humanitarian use". "It is important that the world reacts to this, to every murder of our people perpetrated by the Russians, to every escalation of the war," he urged.
"Since this morning, the settlement has been hit several times by aerial bombs. The attacks targeted a school used for humanitarian purposes. People were receiving humanitarian aid there," he explained.
According to what he stated, several waves of attacks have affected the shelter where people had taken refuge from the first bombings. "Tragically, 18 people have already been reported dead. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Five people have been injured," he indicated, pointing out that rescue tasks are underway.
Kiev has denounced that the attack sought to strike the residents while they were receiving humanitarian aid in what it framed as "further proof that Russia does not want any de-escalation nor any real justice".
"After the humanitarian operation in Oleshki, there was a moment when the next steps could have shown that progress toward peace was possible. With these murders, Russia is sending a completely opposite signal: Russia counts on more deaths," Zelenski insisted after new Russian attacks have dashed the option of cooperation in Oleshki serving as an example to follow.
In this sense, the Ukrainian leader has called for "a response from the world" to this new offensive. "A strong and tough response. A response to Russia and support for Ukraine," he has argued, insisting that the priority must be to protect lives.
More bombardments in Sloviansk and Mikolaiv
These attacks add to other deadly bombardments in the cities of Sloviansk and Mikolaiv. In Sloviansk, an airstrike has caused the death of a woman and has left seven other citizens injured after hitting several residential buildings, a shop, an administrative building and a warehouse.
In Mikolaiv, the ammunition fired by the Russian Army has struck a private home that ended up burning, causing the death of one person and leaving another injured.