A heavy missile attack by Russia on Ukraine hits the regional capital Chernihiv. The authorities speak of many victims and massive destruction.
Chernihiv - A Russian rocket attack on the large city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine this morning caused many casualties among the civilian population. According to the regional administration, the number of deaths rose to 14 by the afternoon. There are also more than 60 injured. There are also several children among them.
During the attack, three rockets hit near the city center, the region's military governor, Vyacheslav Tschaus, said via video on his Telegram channel shortly after the attack. He spoke of a terrible morning. It later became known that Russia was said to have used the Iskander mobile missile system for the bombardment. The range of the system is around 500 kilometers.
16 buildings were damaged
According to official information, a hotel, the district hospital, the main university building and several multi-story residential buildings were hit. In addition, many cars burst into flames. Mayor Olexander Lomako said a total of 16 buildings were damaged. In most of them, window panes were broken by the pressure wave. However, some houses also suffered serious damage.
The rescue workers searched under the rubble for other victims of the attack. The police say six people are missing. Because of the many injuries, local health authorities have called on the population to donate blood.
The Russian Defense Ministry did not elaborate on the Chernihiv rocket strike in its daily situation report. In general, it simply said that the air and missile forces had fought Ukrainian units and military technology. Meanwhile, former member of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada parliament, Ihor Mossiychuk, said on TikTok that Ukrainian soldiers were staying in the hotel that was shelled by the Russian military. This information was not officially confirmed in Kiev.
Zelensky is insisting on more anti-aircraft defenses
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his condolences to the victims' families. At the same time, in view of the tragedy, he renewed his call for strengthening anti-aircraft defenses. “This would not have happened if Ukraine had received sufficient air defense and if the world had been determined enough to counter Russian terror,” the head of state wrote on Telegram.
The Ukrainians do not lack determination in their fight, Zelensky added. “It takes sufficient determination from our partners and sufficient support that reflects this determination,” the President warned.
In the past few days and weeks, Selenskyj had repeatedly pointed out that the Russians were increasingly gaining the upper hand in the war due to the West's slow arms support. Due to a lack of anti-aircraft systems and ammunition, the Russians have now destroyed many important objects in Ukraine, said Zelensky, referring to the ruined Trypillia thermal power plant near Kiev. In addition, the deficit in artillery ammunition is critical, where the Russians are now firing ten times what the Ukrainians have available.
Chernihiv is located about 150 kilometers north of Kiev, not far from the border with Russia. When Russian military invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Chernihiv was also attacked. However, the attackers did not succeed in taking the city. However, Chernihiv was badly affected by intense shelling and a blockade. After Russian troops withdrew from the area, the city became the target of Russian air attacks on several occasions. dpa