Russian invading forces have launched a missile attack on a market in Kostiantynivka, a town in the Donetsk region.
According to the Ukrainian State Emergency Service, 16 people were killed, 31 wounded, and people were trapped under the rubble.
The Russians bombed the market in the very centre of the town. Kostiantynivka is located 26 km from Bakhmut and on the front line of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video of the Russian attack on the town and confirmed that Russian troops had launched an artillery strike on the market and killed at least 16 people.
“When someone in the world still tries to deal with something Russian, it means turning a blind eye to reality. The audacity of evil. The audacity of meanness. Full-scale inhumanity,” the President of Ukraine wrote.
“At this time, the artillery of Russian terrorists has killed 16 people in the city of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region. An ordinary market. Shops. A pharmacy. People who did nothing wrong. Many wounded. Unfortunately, the number of people killed and injured may increase. My condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones! We must defeat this Russian evil as soon as possible.”
The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, said that the State Emergency Service and police are conducting a search and rescue operation and are clearing the rubble. Police, paramedics and doctors are providing medical assistance to the injured.
Emergency workers quickly extinguished the 300-square-metre fire. About 30 trade pavilions were damaged.
It is symbolic that the Russian invaders struck the town and killed people on the anniversary of the liberation of Kostiantynivka from the Nazis, celebrated on 6 September.
