Russia bombs aid centre and shelter in southern Ukraine, killing 24, authorities say

At least 24 people have been killed in a Russian air strike in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, civil defence authorities said on Monday.

President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media that another five people were injured in the attack on a school distributing humanitarian aid in Komyshuvakha.

Zelensky described the strike as an “utterly horrific Russian attack”, saying the settlement had been hit several times by aerial bombs over the course of the day.

Zelensky said Russia had dropped more than 10 bombs on the site.

“After the first aerial bomb strike, there was a double-tap strike with nine more bombs, specifically targeting the shelter where people were taking cover,” he wrote.

A search is under way for further victims. Twenty-seven people were reported missing, the regional military administrator, Mykhailo Semikin, said on Telegram.

The Ukrainian president spoke of a targeted bombing. He said Russia must have been aware that Komyshuvakha’s remaining residents collect humanitarian aid from the school every week.

Zelensky said the attack was “further proof that Russia wants no de-escalation and no real justice”.

Following the humanitarian initiative in Oleshky last week - where a ceasefire allowed residents to be evacuated - there had been a moment when the next steps could have pointed towards a possible peace, Zelensky said.

He added: “With these murders, Russia has sent a completely opposite signal - Russia is counting on further murders.” Zelensky called for a “strong and firm” global response.

Komyshuvakha is situated around 25km (15.5 miles) east of Zaporizhzhia and is a good dozen kilometres from the front line.

The Zaporizhzhia region has been repeatedly targeted for months by heavy Russian air strikes. During an attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia in mid-October, 23 people were killed, including four minors. Zelensky subsequently levelled accusations against Moscow.

Attacks involving ballistic missiles, drones and glide bombs have also repeatedly targeted warehouse buildings in the region.

Glide bombs play a major role in this. They are dropped by Russian fighter aircraft from high altitudes and a safe distance from Ukrainian air defences, and then glide to their target using satellite navigation.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022.